Topical skin care formulations comprising botanical extracts

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a topical skin composition comprising an aqueous extract from a part of  Nymphaea gigantea , wherein said part consists of the flower of  Nymphaea gigantea , an aqueous extract from a part of  Plumeria alba , wherein said part consists of the flower of  Plumeria alba , and a dermatologically acceptable vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/431,712, filed Mar. 27, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/855,391, filed Aug. 12, 2010 (now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 8,173,184), which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/234,115, filed Aug. 14, 2009. The contents of thereferenced applications are incorporated into the present application byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to compositions that include oneor any combination of botanical extracts selected from the groupconsisting of: Nymphaea gigantea extract; Syzygium moorei extract;Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract; Archidendron hendersonii extract;Tristaniopsis laurina extract; Brachychiton acerifolius extract;Stenocarpus sinuatus extract; Alphitonia excelsa extract; Eucalyptuscoolabah extract; Plumeria alba extract; Cocos nucifera extract; andTamarindus indica extract; and any combination of such extracts. Inparticular aspects, the compositions include a Nymphaea giganteaextract, a Syzygium moorei extract, a Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract,a Archidendron hendersonii extract, a Tristaniopsis laurina extract, aBrachychiton acerifolius extract, or a Stenocarpus sinuatus extract, orany combination thereof. The compositions can be formulated as topicalskin compositions, edible compositions, injectable compositions, oralcompositions, hair care compositions, etc.

B. Description of Related Art

Ageing, chronic exposure to adverse environmental factors, malnutrition,fatigue, etc., can change the visual appearance, physical properties, orphysiological functions of skin in ways that are considered visuallyundesirable. The most notable and obvious changes include thedevelopment of fine lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity, increasedsagging, loss of firmness, loss of color evenness or tone, coarsesurface texture, and mottled pigmentation. Less obvious, but measurablechanges which occur as skin ages or endures chronic environmental insultinclude a general reduction in cellular and tissue vitality, reductionin cell replication rates, reduced cutaneous blood flow, reducedmoisture content, accumulated errors in structure and function,alterations in the normal regulation of common biochemical pathways, anda reduction in the skin's ability to remodel and repair itself. Many ofthe alterations in appearance and function of the skin are caused bychanges in the outer epidermal layer of the skin, while others arecaused by changes in the lower dermis.

Previous attempts to improve the visual appearance of skin with knownskin active-ingredients have been shown to have various drawbacks suchas skin irritation and prolonged recovery periods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an effective alternative to existing skinactive-ingredients that are used with topical application to keratinoustissue (e.g., skin, hair, nails, etc.). In this regard, the compositionsof the present invention can include an extract selected from the groupconsisting of: Nymphaea gigantea extract; Syzygium moorei extract;Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract; Archidendron hendersonii extract;Tristaniopsis laurina extract; Brachychiton acerifolius extract;Stenocarpus sinuatus extract; Alphitonia excelsa extract; Eucalyptuscoolabah extract; Plumeria alba extract; Cocos nucifera extract; andTamarindus indica extract; and any combination of such extracts. Inparticular embodiments, the extract is Nymphaea gigantea flower,Syzygium moorei leaf, Cupaniopsis anacardioides leaf, Archidendronhendersonii flower, Tristaniopsis laurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifoliusleaf, Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf, Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptuscoolabah leaf, Plumeria alba flower, Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindusindica leaf extract, or a combination thereof. The compositions can beformulated as topical skin compositions, edible compositions, injectablecompositions, oral compositions, hair care compositions, etc. Inparticular aspects, the compositions can include at least two, three,four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, or all twelve of theseextracts. The extract can be obtained from any part of the plant.Non-limiting examples include extracts obtain from the whole plant,leaves, stems, flowers, flower buds, bark, roots, fruit, seeds, seedpods, and any mixture of such parts. In certain aspects, the extract canbe obtained from the whole fruit (e.g., fruit pulp and seeds), the wholeplant (e.g., the entire plant is used to produce the extract), aparticular part of the plant at the exclusion of another part (e.g.,seed extract isolated from other parts of the plant), etc. The extractcan be water-based, alcohol-based, oil-based, gel-based etc. The extractcan be an aqueous extract. The solvent used to obtain the extract caninclude butylene glycol.

In certain embodiments, the compositions are formulated into topicalskin or hair care compositions. The compositions can be cosmeticcompositions. The compositions can be formulated as emulsions (e.g.,oil-in-water, water-in-oil, silicone-in-water, water-in-silicone,water-in-oil-in-water, oil-in-water, oil-in-water-in-oil,oil-in-water-in-silicone, etc.), creams, lotions, solutions (e.g.,aqueous or hydro-alcoholic solutions), anhydrous bases (e.g., lipstickor a powder), gels, ointments, milks, pastes, aerosols, solid forms, eyejellies, etc. The compositions can also be formulated for topical skinapplication at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or more times a day duringuse. In other aspects of the present invention, compositions can bestorage stable or color stable, or both. It is also contemplated thatthe viscosity of the composition can be selected to achieve a desiredresult, e.g., depending on the type of composition desired, theviscosity of such composition can be from about 1 cps to well over 1million cps or any range or integer derivable therein (e.g., 2 cps, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300,400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000,8000, 9000, 10000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000,90000, 100000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000, 600000, 700000, 800000,900000, 1000000 cps, etc., as measured on a Brookfield Viscometer usinga TC spindle at 2.5 rpm at 25° C.).

The compositions of the present invention can include any desired amountof Nymphaea gigantea extract, Syzygium moorei extract, Cupaniopsisanacardioides extract, Archidendron hendersonii extract, Tristaniopsislaurina extract, Brachychiton acerifolius extract, Stenocarpus sinuatusextract, Alphitonia excelsa extract, Eucalyptus coolabah extract,Plumeria alba extract, Cocos nucifera extract, or Tamarindus indicaextract, or any combination of such extracts. The amount of the extractscan individually or combined be from 0.0001, 0.0002, 0.0003, 0.0004,0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004,0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06,0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30,35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99%, or more, or anyrange derivable therein, by weight or volume of the extract orcombination of extracts.

The compositions of the present invention can also be modified to have adesired oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value. In certainnon-limiting aspects, the compositions of the present invention or theplant extracts identified throughout this specification can be modifiedto have an ORAC value per mg of at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, 100, 200, 300,400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000,8000, 9000, 10000, 15000, 20000, 30000, 50000, 100000 or more or anyrange derivable therein.

The compositions in non-limiting aspects can have a pH of about 6 toabout 9. In other aspects, the pH can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, or 14. The compositions can include a triglyceride.Non-limiting examples include small, medium, and large chaintriglycerides. In certain aspects, the triglyceride is a medium chaintriglyceride (e.g., caprylic capric triglyceride). The compositions canalso include preservatives. Non-limiting examples of preservativesinclude methylparaben, propylparaben, or a mixture of methylparaben andpropylparaben.

Compositions of the present invention can have UVA and UVB absorptionproperties. The compositions can have an sun protection factor (SPF) of2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45,50, 55, 60, or more, or any integer or derivative therein. Thecompositions can be sunscreen lotions, sprays, or creams.

In one aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a topicalskin care composition that includes an extract selected from the groupconsisting of: Nymphaea gigantea extract; Syzygium moorei extract;Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract; Archidendron hendersonii extract;Tristaniopsis laurina extract; Brachychiton acerifolius extract;Stenocarpus sinuatus extract; Alphitonia excelsa extract; Eucalyptuscoolabah extract; Plumeria alba extract; Cocos nucifera extract; andTamarindus indica extract; and any combination of such extracts, incombination with any one of, any combination of, or all of the followingadditional ingredients: water, a chelating agent, a moisturizing agent,a preservative, a thickening agent, a silicone containing compound, anessential oil, a structuring agent, a vitamin, a pharmaceuticalingredient, or an antioxidant, or any combination of such ingredients ormixtures of such ingredients. In certain aspects, the composition caninclude at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten,or all of these additional ingredients identified in the previoussentence. Non-limiting examples of these additional ingredients areidentified throughout this specification and are incorporated into thissection by reference. The amounts of such ingredients can range from0.0001% to 99.9% by weight or volume of the composition, or any integeror range in between as disclosed in other sections of thisspecification, which are incorporated into this paragraph by reference.In particular embodiments, the extract is Nymphaea gigantea flower,Syzygium moorei leaf, Cupaniopsis anacardioides leaf, Archidendronhendersonii flower, Tristaniopsis laurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifoliusleaf, Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf, Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptuscoolabah leaf, Plumeria alba flower, Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindusindica leaf extract, or a combination thereof. The extract can be anaqueous extract. The solvent used to obtain the extract can includebutylene glycol.

In another embodiment, there is disclosed a topical skin carecomposition that includes an extract selected from the group consistingof: Nymphaea gigantea extract; Syzygium moorei extract; Cupaniopsisanacardioides extract; Archidendron hendersonii extract; Tristaniopsislaurina extract; Brachychiton acerifolius extract; Stenocarpus sinuatusextract; Alphitonia excelsa extract; Eucalyptus coolabah extract;Plumeria alba extract; Cocos nucifera extract; and Tamarindus indicaextract; and any combination of such extracts, in combination with anyone of, any combination of, or all of the following ingredients: water;glycerin; butylene glycol; propylene glycol; phenoxyethanol; a chelatingagent (e.g., EDTA, disodium EDTA, trisodium EDTA, EGTA, disodium EGTA,trisodium EGTA, citric acid, phosphoric acid, succinic acid, etc.);steareth-20; chlorhexidine diglunonate; potassium sorbate; and/or apreservative (e.g., methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben,ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, etc.). In particular aspects, thecomposition can further include any one of, any combination of, or allof the following additional ingredients: alcohol; denatured alcohol;glyceryl stearate; dimethicone; PEG-100 stearate; capryl glycol;triethanolamine; maltodextrin; sorbic acid; ethylene brassylate; methyllinalool; isobutyl methyl tetrahydropyranol; ethylhexylglycerin; and/orhexylene glycol. The concentrations of these ingredients can range from0.00001 to 99% by weight or volume of the composition or any integer orrange derivable therein as explained in other portions of thisspecification which are incorporated into this paragraph by reference.In particular aspects, the concentration of water can be at least 35% to80% by weight of water. In particular embodiments, the extract isNymphaea gigantea flower, Syzygium moorei leaf, Cupaniopsisanacardioides leaf, Archidendron hendersonii flower, Tristaniopsislaurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifolius leaf, Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf,Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptus coolabah leaf, Plumeria alba flower,Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindus indica leaf extract, or a combinationthereof. The extract can be an aqueous extract. The solvent used toobtain the extract can include butylene glycol.

In another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a topical skincare composition that includes an extract selected from the groupconsisting of: Nymphaea gigantea extract; Syzygium moorei extract;Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract; Archidendron hendersonii extract;Tristaniopsis laurina extract; Brachychiton acerifolius extract;Stenocarpus sinuatus extract; Alphitonia excelsa extract; Eucalyptuscoolabah extract; Plumeria alba extract; Cocos nucifera extract; andTamarindus indica extract; and any combination of such extracts, incombination with any one of, any combination of, or all of the followingingredients: water; dimethicone; triethanolamine; phenonip; betaine; achelating agent (e.g., EDTA, disodium EDTA, trisodium EDTA, EGTA,disodium EGTA, trisodium EGTA, citric acid, phosphoric acid, succinicacid, etc.); tocopheryl acetate; and/or prodew 400. In particularaspects, the composition can further include any one of, any combinationof, or all of the following additional ingredients: propylene glycol;isododecane; polyacrylamide/C13-C14 isoparaffin/laureth 7 mixture;PEG-12 dimethicone; and/or ethylhexyl palmitate. The concentrations ofthese ingredients can range from 0.00001 to 99% by weight or volume ofthe composition or any integer or range derivable therein as explainedin other portions of this specification which are incorporated into thisparagraph by reference. In particular aspects, the concentration ofwater can be at least 35% to 80% by weight of water. In particularembodiments, the extract is Nymphaea gigantea flower, Syzygium mooreileaf, Cupaniopsis anacardioides leaf, Archidendron hendersonii flower,Tristaniopsis laurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifolius leaf, Stenocarpussinuatus leaf, Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptus coolabah leaf,Plumeria alba flower, Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindus indica leafextract, or a combination thereof. The extract can be an aqueousextract. The solvent used to obtain the extract can include butyleneglycol.

In yet another embodiment there is disclosed a topical skin carecomposition that includes an extract selected from the group consistingof: Nymphaea gigantea extract; Syzygium moorei extract; Cupaniopsisanacardioides extract; Archidendron hendersonii extract; Tristaniopsislaurina extract; Brachychiton acerifolius extract; Stenocarpus sinuatusextract; Alphitonia excelsa extract; Eucalyptus coolabah extract;Plumeria alba extract; Cocos nucifera extract; and Tamarindus indicaextract; and any combination of such extracts, in combination with anyone of, any combination of, or all of the following ingredients: water;glycerin; pentylene glycol; capryl glycol; disodium EDTA;capric/caprylic triglyceride; shea butter; squalane; cetyl alcohol;dimethicone; ceramide II; stearic acid; a mixture of glyceryl stearateand PEG 100 stearate; or a mixture of acrylamide/acryloyl dimethyltaurate copolymer, isohexadecane, and polysorbate 80. The concentrationsof these ingredients can range from 0.00001 to 99% by weight or volumeof the composition or any integer or range derivable therein asexplained in other portions of this specification which are incorporatedinto this paragraph by reference. In particular aspects, theconcentration of water can be at least 35% to 80% by weight of water.The ratio of water to glycerin can be from about 7:1 to 9:1 based on thetotal weight of the composition. The ratio of glycerin to pentyleneglycol can be from about 1:1 to about 2:1 based on the total weight ofthe composition. In particular embodiments, the extract is Nymphaeagigantea flower, Syzygium moorei leaf, Cupaniopsis anacardioides leaf,Archidendron hendersonii flower, Tristaniopsis laurina leaf,Brachychiton acerifolius leaf, Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf, Alphitoniaexcelsa leaf, Eucalyptus coolabah leaf, Plumeria alba flower, Cocosnucifera milk, or Tamarindus indica leaf extract, or a combinationthereof. The extract can be an aqueous extract. The solvent used toobtain the extract can include butylene glycol.

There is also disclosed a topical skin care composition that includes anextract selected from the group consisting of: Nymphaea giganteaextract; Syzygium moorei extract; Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract;Archidendron hendersonii extract; Tristaniopsis laurina extract;Brachychiton acerifolius extract; Stenocarpus sinuatus extract;Alphitonia excelsa extract; Eucalyptus coolabah extract; Plumeria albaextract; Cocos nucifera extract; and Tamarindus indica extract; and anycombination of such extracts, in combination with any one of, anycombination of, or all of the following ingredients: water; glycerin;capryl glycol; capryl glycol; disodium EDTA; petrolatum; squalane; cetylalcohol; a mixture of glyceryl stearate and PEG 100 stearate;dimethicone; or a mixture of acrylamide/acryloyl dimethyl tauratecopolymer, isohexadecane, and polysorbate 80. The concentrations ofthese ingredients can range from 0.00001 to 99% by weight or volume ofthe composition or any integer or range derivable therein as explainedin other portions of this specification which are incorporated into thisparagraph by reference. In particular aspects, the concentration ofwater can be at least 35% to 80% by weight of water. The ratio of waterto glycerin can be from about 12:1 to 16:1 based on the total weight ofthe composition. The ratio of glycerin to pentylene glycol can be fromabout 0.5:1 to about 1.5:1 based on the total weight of the composition.In particular embodiments, the extract is Nymphaea gigantea flower,Syzygium moorei leaf, Cupaniopsis anacardioides leaf, Archidendronhendersonii flower, Tristaniopsis laurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifoliusleaf, Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf, Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptuscoolabah leaf, Plumeria alba flower, Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindusindica leaf extract, or a combination thereof. The extract can be anaqueous extract. The solvent used to obtain the extract can includebutylene glycol.

Also disclosed is a topical skin care composition that includes anextract selected from the group consisting of: Nymphaea giganteaextract; Syzygium moorei extract; Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract;Archidendron hendersonii extract; Tristaniopsis laurina extract;Brachychiton acerifolius extract; Stenocarpus sinuatus extract;Alphitonia excelsa extract; Eucalyptus coolabah extract; Plumeria albaextract; Cocos nucifera extract; and Tamarindus indica extract; and anycombination of such extracts, in combination with any one of, anycombination of, or all of the following ingredients: water; xanthan gum;disodium EDTA; pentylene glycol; capryl glycol; acrylate C10-30 acrylatecross polymer; triethanolamine; PVP/hexadecene copolymer; C12-15 alkylbenzoate; sorbitan isostearate; or a sunscreen agent. The concentrationsof these ingredients can range from 0.00001 to 99% by weight or volumeof the composition or any integer or range derivable therein asexplained in other portions of this specification which are incorporatedinto this paragraph by reference. In particular aspects, theconcentration of water can be at least 35% to 80% by weight of water.The ratio of water to C12-15 alkyl benzoate can be from about 2:1 to 3:1based on the total weight of the composition. The ratio of water topentylene glycol can be from about 9:1 to about 11:1 based on the totalweight of the composition. In particular embodiments, the extract isNymphaea gigantea flower, Syzygium moorei leaf, Cupaniopsisanacardioides leaf, Archidendron hendersonii flower, Tristaniopsislaurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifolius leaf, Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf,Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptus coolabah leaf, Plumeria alba flower,Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindus indica leaf extract, or a combinationthereof. The extract can be an aqueous extract. The solvent used toobtain the extract can include butylene glycol.

In yet another embodiment, there is disclosed a topical skin carecomposition that includes an extract selected from the group consistingof: Nymphaea gigantea extract; Syzygium moorei extract; Cupaniopsisanacardioides extract; Archidendron hendersonii extract; Tristaniopsislaurina extract; Brachychiton acerifolius extract; Stenocarpus sinuatusextract; Alphitonia excelsa extract; Eucalyptus coolabah extract;Plumeria alba extract; Cocos nucifera extract; and Tamarindus indicaextract; and any combination of such extracts, in combination with anyone of, any combination of, or all of the following ingredients: water;disodium EDTA; citric acid; pentylene glycol; capryl glycol; sodiumcocoamphodiacetate; or sodium methyl cocoyl taurate. The concentrationsof these ingredients can range from 0.00001 to 99% by weight or volumeof the composition or any integer or range derivable therein asexplained in other portions of this specification which are incorporatedinto this paragraph by reference. In particular aspects, theconcentration of water can be at least 35% to 80% by weight of water.The ratio of water to pentylene glycol can be from about 12:1 to 14:1based on the total weight of the composition. The ratio of water tosodium cocoamphodiacetate can be from about 8:1 to about 11:1 based onthe total weight of the composition. The ratio of water to sodium methylcocoyl taurate can be from about 2:1 to about 4:1 based on the totalweight of the composition. The ratio of sodium methyl cocoyl taurate tosodium cocoamphodiacetate can be from about 2:1 to about 4:1 based onthe total weight of the composition. In particular embodiments, theextract is Nymphaea gigantea flower, Syzygium moorei leaf, Cupaniopsisanacardioides leaf, Archidendron hendersonii flower, Tristaniopsislaurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifolius leaf, Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf,Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptus coolabah leaf, Plumeria alba flower,Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindus indica leaf extract, or a combinationthereof. The extract can be an aqueous extract. The solvent used toobtain the extract can include butylene glycol.

In one embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed a methodof reducing the appearance of symptoms associated with erythema (e.g.,erythemic skin, sensitive skin, inflamed skin) comprising topicallyapplying a composition to erythemic, sensitive, or inflamed skin whereinthe composition includes an extract selected from the group consistingof: Nymphaea gigantea extract; Syzygium moorei extract; Cupaniopsisanacardioides extract; Archidendron hendersonii extract; Tristaniopsislaurina extract; Brachychiton acerifolius extract; Stenocarpus sinuatusextract; Alphitonia excelsa extract; Eucalyptus coolabah extract;Plumeria alba extract; Cocos nucifera extract; and Tamarindus indicaextract; and any combination thereof; and a dermatologically acceptablevehicle, wherein topical application of the composition to erythemic,sensitive, or inflamed skin reduces the appearance of symptomsassociated with erythema, sensitive skin, or inflamed skin. Inparticular aspects, the composition includes Nymphaea gigantea extract.Further, the compositions described throughout the specification andclaims can be used with this method. In particular embodiments, theextract is Nymphaea gigantea flower, Syzygium moorei leaf, Cupaniopsisanacardioides leaf, Archidendron hendersonii flower, Tristaniopsislaurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifolius leaf, Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf,Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptus coolabah leaf, Plumeria alba flower,Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindus indica leaf extract, or a combinationthereof. The extract can be an aqueous extract. The solvent used toobtain the extract can include butylene glycol.

Also disclosed is a method of treating erythema comprising topicallyapplying a composition to erythemic skin, sensitive skin, or inflamedskin, wherein the composition includes: an extract selected from thegroup consisting of: Nymphaea gigantea extract; Syzygium moorei extract;Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract; Archidendron hendersonii extract;Tristaniopsis laurina extract; Brachychiton acerifolius extract;Stenocarpus sinuatus extract; Alphitonia excelsa extract; Eucalyptuscoolabah extract; Plumeria alba extract; Cocos nucifera extract; andTamarindus indica extract; and any combination thereof; and adermatologically acceptable vehicle, wherein topical application of thecomposition to erythemic skin treats erythema, sensitive skin, orinflamed skin. In particular aspects, the composition includes Nymphaeagigantea extract. Further, the compositions described throughout thespecification and claims can be used with this method. Erythema can becaused by skin sunburn, electrical treatments of skin, skin burns,contact allergies, systemic allergies, skin toxicity, exercise, insectstings, bacterial infection, viral infection, fungal infection, protozoainfection, massage, windburn, etc. In particular embodiments, theextract is Nymphaea gigantea flower, Syzygium moorei leaf, Cupaniopsisanacardioides leaf, Archidendron hendersonii flower, Tristaniopsislaurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifolius leaf, Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf,Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptus coolabah leaf, Plumeria alba flower,Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindus indica leaf extract, or a combinationthereof. The extract can be an aqueous extract. The solvent used toobtain the extract can include butylene glycol.

In still another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed amethod of treating dry, flaky, or itchy skin or reducing the appearanceof uneven skin tone comprising topically applying a composition to dry,flaky, or itchy skin or to skin having an uneven skin tone, wherein thecomposition includes an extract selected from the group consisting of:Nymphaea gigantea extract; Syzygium moorei extract; Cupaniopsisanacardioides extract; Archidendron hendersonii extract; Tristaniopsislaurina extract; Brachychiton acerifolius extract; Stenocarpus sinuatusextract; Alphitonia excelsa extract; Eucalyptus coolabah extract;Plumeria alba extract; Cocos nucifera extract; and Tamarindus indicaextract; and any combination thereof; and a dermatologically acceptablevehicle. In particular aspects, the composition includes Nymphaeagigantea extract. Further, the compositions described throughout thespecification and claims can be used with this method. In particularembodiments, the extract is Nymphaea gigantea flower, Syzygium mooreileaf, Cupaniopsis anacardioides leaf, Archidendron hendersonii flower,Tristaniopsis laurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifolius leaf, Stenocarpussinuatus leaf, Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptus coolabah leaf,Plumeria alba flower, Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindus indica leafextract, or a combination thereof. The extract can be an aqueousextract. The solvent used to obtain the extract can include butyleneglycol.

Also disclosed is a method of reducing the appearance of fine lines orwrinkles comprising topically applying a composition to skin having finelines or wrinkles, wherein the composition includes an extract selectedfrom the group consisting of: Nymphaea gigantea extract; Syzygium mooreiextract; Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract; Archidendron hendersoniiextract; Tristaniopsis laurina extract; Brachychiton acerifoliusextract; Stenocarpus sinuatus extract; Alphitonia excelsa extract;Eucalyptus coolabah extract; Plumeria alba extract; Cocos nuciferaextract; and Tamarindus indica extract; and any combination thereof anda dermatologically acceptable vehicle, wherein topical application ofthe composition to fine lines or wrinkles reduces the appearance of thefine lines or wrinkles. In particular aspects, the composition includesNymphaea gigantea extract. Further, the compositions describedthroughout the specification and claims can be used with this method. Inparticular embodiments, the extract is Nymphaea gigantea flower,Syzygium moorei leaf, Cupaniopsis anacardioides leaf, Archidendronhendersonii flower, Tristaniopsis laurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifoliusleaf, Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf, Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptuscoolabah leaf, Plumeria alba flower, Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindusindica leaf extract, or a combination thereof. The extract can be anaqueous extract. The solvent used to obtain the extract can includebutylene glycol.

In one embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed a methodof reducing pain associated with erythema, sensitive skin, or inflamedskin, comprising topically applying a composition to erythemic,sensitive, or inflamed skin wherein the composition includes an extractselected from the group consisting of: Nymphaea gigantea extract;Syzygium moorei extract; Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract; Archidendronhendersonii extract; Tristaniopsis laurina extract; Brachychitonacerifolius extract; Stenocarpus sinuatus extract; Alphitonia excelsaextract; Eucalyptus coolabah extract; Plumeria alba extract; Cocosnucifera extract; and Tamarindus indica extract; and any combinationthereof; and a dermatologically acceptable vehicle, wherein topicalapplication of the composition to erythemic, sensitive, or inflamed skinreduces the pain associated with erythema, sensitive skin, or inflamedskin. In particular aspects, the composition includes Nymphaea giganteaextract. Further, the compositions described throughout thespecification and claims can be used with this method. In particularembodiments, the extract is Nymphaea gigantea flower, Syzygium mooreileaf, Cupaniopsis anacardioides leaf, Archidendron hendersonii flower,Tristaniopsis laurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifolius leaf, Stenocarpussinuatus leaf, Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptus coolabah leaf,Plumeria alba flower, Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindus indica leafextract, or a combination thereof. The extract can be an aqueousextract. The solvent used to obtain the extract can include butyleneglycol.

In another embodiment there is disclosed a method of treating orpreventing a skin condition comprising topically applying a compositionto skin having a skin condition, wherein the composition includes anextract selected from the group consisting of: Nymphaea giganteaextract; Syzygium moorei extract; Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract;Archidendron hendersonii extract; Tristaniopsis laurina extract;Brachychiton acerifolius extract; Stenocarpus sinuatus extract;Alphitonia excelsa extract; Eucalyptus coolabah extract; Plumeria albaextract; Cocos nucifera extract; and Tamarindus indica extract; and anycombination thereof; and a dermatologically acceptable vehicle, whereintopical application of the composition to the skin condition treats theskin condition. In particular aspects, the composition includes Nymphaeagigantea extract. Further, the compositions described throughout thespecification and claims can be used with this method. Non-limitingexamples of skin conditions include dry skin, itchy skin, inflamed skin,erythema, sensitive skin, pruritus, spider veins, lentigo, age spots,senile purpura, keratosis, melasma, blotches, fine lines or wrinkles,nodules, sun damaged skin, dermatitis (including, but not limited toseborrheic dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, contact dermatitis, atopicdermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, and stasisdermatitis), psoriasis, folliculitis, rosacea, acne, impetigo,erysipelas, erythrasma, eczema, sun burns, burned skin, open wounds,skin—inflammatory skin conditions, etc. In certain non-limiting aspects,the skin condition can be caused by exposure to UV light, age,irradiation, chronic sun exposure, environmental pollutants, airpollution, wind, cold, heat, chemicals, disease pathologies, smoking, orlack of nutrition. The skin can be facial skin or non-facial skin (e.g.,arms, legs, hands, chest, back, feet, etc.). The method can furthercomprise identifying a person in need of skin treatment. The person canbe a male or female. The age of the person can be at least 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75,80, 85, 90, 95, or more years old, or any range derivable therein. Themethod can also include topically applying an amount effective to:increase the stratum corneum turnover rate of the skin; increasecollagen synthesis in fibroblasts; increase cellular anti-oxidantdefense mechanisms (e.g., exogenous additions of anti-oxidants canbolster, replenish, or prevent the loss of cellular antioxidants such ascatalase and glutathione in skin cells (e.g., keratinocytes,melanocytes, langerhans cells, etc.) which will reduce or preventoxidative damage to the skin, cellular, proteins, and lipids); inhibitmelanin production in melanocytes; reduce or prevent oxidative damage toskin (including reducing the amount lipid peroxides and/or proteinoxidation in the skin). In particular embodiments, the extract isNymphaea gigantea flower, Syzygium moorei leaf, Cupaniopsisanacardioides leaf, Archidendron hendersonii flower, Tristaniopsislaurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifolius leaf, Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf,Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptus coolabah leaf, Plumeria alba flower,Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindus indica leaf extract, or a combinationthereof. The extract can be an aqueous extract. The solvent used toobtain the extract can include butylene glycol.

In certain embodiments, compositions of the present invention candecrease the amount of internal oxidation and/or external oxidativedamage in a cell. In other aspects, the compositions can increasecollagen synthesis in a cell. The compositions can also reduce skininflammation, such as by reducing inflammatory cytokine production in acell. Non-limiting examples of such cells include human epidermalkeratinocyte, human fibroblast dermal cell, human melanocytes, threedimensional human cell-derived in vitro tissue equivalents comprisinghuman keratinocytes, human fibroblasts, or human melanocytes, or anycombination thereof (e.g., combination of human keratinocytes and humanfibroblasts or a combination of human keratinocytes and humanmelanocytes).

Also disclosed is a method of treating hyperpigmentation comprisingapplying the compositions of the present invention to the skin. Themethod can also comprise identifying a person in need of treatinghyperpigmentation and applying the composition to a portion of the skinexhibiting hyperpigmentation. Additional methods contemplated by theinventors include methods for reducing the appearance of an age spot, askin discoloration, or a freckle, reducing or preventing the appearanceof fine lines or wrinkles in skin, or increasing the firmness of skin byapplying the compositions of the present invention to skin in need ofsuch treatment.

In yet another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed amethod of treating or preventing a wide variety of diseases comprisingadministering to a patient in need of treatment a composition comprisingNymphaea gigantea extract, Syzygium moorei extract, Cupaniopsisanacardioides extract, Archidendron hendersonii extract, Tristaniopsislaurina extract, Brachychiton acerifolius extract, Stenocarpus sinuatusextract, Alphitonia excelsa extract, Eucalyptus coolabah extract,Plumeria alba extract, Cocos nucifera extract, and/or Tamarindus indicaextract, or any combination of said extracts (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, or 11 of the aforementioned extracts), or all of said extracts.The composition can be formulated as a topical composition, aningestible composition, an injectable composition, an aerosolizedcomposition, etc. Non-limiting examples of diseases that can be treatedor prevented with such compositions include AIDS, autoimmune diseases(e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis,diabetes—insulin-dependent and non-independent, systemic lupuserythematosus and Graves disease), cancer (e.g., malignant, benign,metastatic, precancer), cardiovascular diseases (e.g., heart disease orcoronary artery disease, stroke—ischemic and hemorrhagic, and rheumaticheart disease), diseases of the nervous system, and infection bypathogenic microorganisms (e.g., Athlete's Foot, Chickenpox, Commoncold, Diarrheal diseases, Flu, Genital herpes, Malaria, Meningitis,Pneumonia, Sinusitis, Skin diseases, Strep throat, Tuberculosis, Urinarytract infections, Vaginal infections, Viral hepatitis), inflammation(e.g., allergy, asthma), prion diseases (e.g., CJD, kuru, GSS, FFI),obesity, etc. In particular embodiments, the extract is Nymphaeagigantea flower, Syzygium moorei leaf, Cupaniopsis anacardioides leaf,Archidendron hendersonii flower, Tristaniopsis laurina leaf,Brachychiton acerifolius leaf, Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf, Alphitoniaexcelsa leaf, Eucalyptus coolabah leaf, Plumeria alba flower, Cocosnucifera milk, or Tamarindus indica leaf extract, or a combinationthereof. The extract can be an aqueous extract. The solvent used toobtain the extract can include butylene glycol.

In certain aspects, there is disclosed an aqueous extract of Nymphaeagigantea extract, Syzygium moorei extract, Cupaniopsis anacardioidesextract, Archidendron hendersonii extract, Tristaniopsis laurinaextract, Brachychiton acerifolius extract, Stenocarpus sinuatus extract,Alphitonia excelsa extract, Eucalyptus coolabah extract, Plumeria albaextract, Cocos nucifera extract, and/or Tamarindus indica extract or anycombination thereof. The aqueous extract can include butylene glycol. Inparticular embodiments, the extract is Nymphaea gigantea flower,Syzygium moorei leaf, Cupaniopsis anacardioides leaf, Archidendronhendersonii flower, Tristaniopsis laurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifoliusleaf, Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf, Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptuscoolabah leaf, Plumeria alba flower, Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindusindica leaf extract, or a combination thereof. The extract can be anaqueous extract. The solvent used to obtain the extract can includebutylene glycol.

Also disclosed is a composition comprising an extract of an extract ofNymphaea gigantea extract, Syzygium moorei extract, Cupaniopsisanacardioides extract, Archidendron hendersonii extract, Tristaniopsislaurina extract, Brachychiton acerifolius extract, Stenocarpus sinuatusextract, Alphitonia excelsa extract, Eucalyptus coolabah extract,Plumeria alba extract, Cocos nucifera extract, and/or Tamarindus indicaextract, or any combination thereof. The composition can be an ediblecomposition. The composition can take the form of a pill, liquid gelcap, or tablet. The composition can be an injectable solution (e.g., forintravenous delivery). The composition can be in the form of aneutraceutical. The extract can be an aqueous extract. The aqueousextract can include butylene glycol. In particular embodiments, theextract is Nymphaea gigantea flower, Syzygium moorei leaf, Cupaniopsisanacardioides leaf, Archidendron hendersonii flower, Tristaniopsislaurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifolius leaf, Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf,Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptus coolabah leaf, Plumeria alba flower,Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindus indica leaf extract, or a combinationthereof. The extract can be an aqueous extract. The solvent used toobtain the extract can include butylene glycol.

In a further aspect, there is disclosed a blend of Cupaniopsisanacardiodes leaf, Syzygium mooreii leaf, and Archidendron hendersoniiflower extracts. The extracts can each be aqueous extracts. Such aqueousextracts can include butylene glycol. The blend can be placed into anyone of the compositions disclosed throughout this specification and canbe used in any one of the methods disclosed throughout thisspecification.

In still another aspect, there is disclosed a blend of Nymphaea giganteaflower, Tristaniopsis laurina leaf, and Eucalyptus coolabah leafextracts. The extracts can each be aqueous extracts. Such aqueousextracts can include butylene glycol. The blend can be placed into anyone of the compositions disclosed throughout this specification and canbe used in any one of the methods disclosed throughout thisspecification.

In yet another embodiment there is disclosed a blend of Plumeria albaflower, Cocos nucifera milk, and Tamarindus indicia leaf extracts. Theextracts can each be aqueous extracts. Such aqueous extracts can includebutylene glycol. The blend can be placed into any one of thecompositions disclosed throughout this specification and can be used inany one of the methods disclosed throughout this specification.

A further aspect includes a blend of Brachychiton acerifolius leaf,Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf, and Alphitonia excelsa leaf extracts. Theextracts can each be aqueous extracts. Such aqueous extracts can includebutylene glycol. The blend can be placed into any one of thecompositions disclosed throughout this specification and can be used inany one of the methods disclosed throughout this specification.

Kits that include the compositions of the present invention are alsocontemplated. In certain embodiments, the composition is comprised in acontainer. The container can be a bottle, dispenser, or package. Thecontainer can dispense a pre-determined amount of the composition. Incertain aspects, the compositions is dispensed in a spray, dollop, orliquid. The container can include indicia on its surface. The indiciacan be a word, an abbreviation, a picture, or a symbol.

Also contemplated is a product comprising a composition of the presentinvention. In non-limiting aspects, the product can be a cosmeticproduct. The cosmetic product can be those described in other sectionsof this specification or those known to a person of skill in the art.Non-limiting examples of products include a moisturizer, a cream, alotion, a skin softener, a foundation, a night cream, a lipstick, acleanser, a toner, a sunscreen, a mask, an anti-aging product, adeodorant, an antiperspirant, a perfume, a cologne, etc.

It is also contemplated that compositions of the present invention canbe included into food-based products (e.g., beverages, fortified water,energy drinks, nutritional drinks, solid foods, vitamins, supplements,etc.) and pharmaceutical products (e.g., pills, tablets, gel capsules,injectable solutions, drugs, etc.). “Supplements” can include vitamins,minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes andmetabolites. Such supplements are suitable for oral consumption and canbe administered orally.

It is contemplated that any embodiment discussed in this specificationcan be implemented with respect to any method or composition of theinvention, and vice versa. Furthermore, compositions of the inventioncan be used to achieve methods of the invention.

In one embodiment, the topical skin compositions of the currentinvention are pharmaceutically elegant. “Pharmaceutically elegant”describes a composition that has particular tactile properties whichfeel pleasant on the skin (e.g., compositions that are not too watery orgreasy, compositions that have a silky texture, compositions that arenon-tacky or sticky, etc.). Pharmaceutically elegant can also relate tothe creaminess or lubricity properties of the composition or to themoisture retaining properties of the composition.

“Keratinous tissue” includes keratin-containing layers disposed as theoutermost protective covering of mammals and includes, but is notlimited to, skin, hair and nails.

“Topical application” means to apply or spread a composition onto thesurface of keratinous tissue. “Topical skin composition” includescompositions suitable for topical application on keratinous tissue. Suchcompositions are typically dermatologically-acceptable in that they donot have undue toxicity, incompatibility, instability, allergicresponse, and the like, when applied to skin. Topical skin carecompositions of the present invention can have a selected viscosity toavoid significant dripping or pooling after application to skin.

The term “about” or “approximately” are defined as being close to asunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limitingembodiment the terms are defined to be within 10%, preferably within 5%,more preferably within 1%, and most preferably within 0.5%.

The terms “inhibiting” or “reducing” or any variation of these terms,when used in the claims and/or the specification includes any measurabledecrease or complete inhibition to achieve a desired result.

The term “effective,” as that term is used in the specification and/orclaims, means adequate to accomplish a desired, expected, or intendedresult.

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term“comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” butit is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,”and “one or more than one.”

The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unlessexplicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternativesare mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definitionthat refers to only alternatives and “and/or.”

The words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise”and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and“has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and“include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as“contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not excludeadditional, unrecited elements or method steps.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and the examples,while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by wayof illustration only. Additionally, it is contemplated that changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In today's image conscious society, people are continually looking for aproduct that can improve the visual appearance of their skin. Oftentimes, aged skin, uneven skin tone, or skin damaged by environmentalfactors such as UV light, chronic sun exposure, environmentalpollutants, chemicals, disease pathologies, or smoking, is associatedwith unattractive skin. Previous attempts to improve the visualappearance of skin has been shown to have various drawbacks such as skinirritation and prolonged recovery periods.

The present invention is an effective alternative to the use ofcompositions and ingredients currently used to treat aged skin,environmentally-damaged skin, uneven skin tone, and other skinconditions. In one non-limiting embodiment, the compositions of thepresent invention can be used to treat irritation of the skin and toimprove the skin's visual appearance, physiological functions, clinicalproperties, or biophysical properties by providing a composition of thepresent invention to an area of the skin that needs such treatment. Asnoted throughout this specification, the compositions can include anyone of Nymphaea gigantea extract, Syzygium moorei extract, Cupaniopsisanacardioides extract, Archidendron hendersonii extract, Tristaniopsislaurina extract, Brachychiton acerifolius extract, Stenocarpus sinuatusextract, Alphitonia excelsa extract, Eucalyptus coolabah extract,Plumeria alba extract, Cocos nucifera extract, or Tamarindus indicaextract, or any combination of such extracts. These and othernon-limiting aspects of the present invention are described in furtherdetail below.

A. Extracts

Nymphaea gigantea, also known as the giant water lily, can be found inthe tropical and subtropical regions of Australia. Nymphaea gigantea haslarge (up to 25 cm) blue-white flowers that emerge from the water andlarge circular leaves that grow up to 75 cm in diameter. This plant alsoproduces seeds.

Syzygium moorei, also known as the rose apple, coolamon, robby, durobby,and watermelon tree, is a tree that can be found in the sub tropicalregions of Australia. It has green foliage and can produce flowers andfruit on mature stems and woody trunks. Seeds can also be produced bythis tree.

Cupaniopsis anachardiodes, also known as tuckeroo, carrot wood, cashewleaf cupania, brush deal, cupania tree, cupaniopsis, yowarro, orCupaniopsis, is a small tree that can be found in Australia, Indonesia,and New Guinea. It has green foliage and can produce greenish-yellowflowers which are followed by fruit and orange seed pods with seeds.

Archidendron hendersonii, also known as white lace flower or tulip skis,is a tree that can be found in the coastal regions of New South Walesand Queensland Australia. It has green foliage and can produce fluffycreamy-white flowers and woody orange seed pods that have black seeds.

Tristaniopsis laurina, also known as the water gum or Kanooka tree, is atree that has a smooth, creamy-brown trunk and green foliage. It canproduce yellow flowers. It can be found on the eastern coastline ofAustralia.

Brachychiton acerifolius, also known as the flame tree or illiawarraflame tree, can be found in the subtropical regions on the east coast ofAustralia. Its has green foliage and can produce bright red bell-shapedflowers. It can also produce yellow seeds and pod-like fruits that canreach 10 cm in length.

Stenocarpus sinuatus, also known as the Queensland Firewheel tree, is atree that can be found in the New South Wales and Queensland regions ofAustralia. It is an evergreen tree that can produce red wagon wheelshaped flowers. It also produces follicle shaped fruit that can reach upto 10 cm in length. Inside the fruit are thin seeds.

Alphitonia excelsa, also known as the Red Ash or Soap Tree, is a treethat can be found in the New South Wales, Queensland, and NorthernTerritory regions of Australia. It has green foliage and can producesilvery fine flower buds which are followed by purplish-black fruitshaving a red pulp and seeds.

Eucalyptus coolabah, also known as collibah or coolabah, is a eucalyptustree that can be found in the Northern Territory and New South Walesregions of Australia. It has elongated greenish blue foliage and canproduce seed pods that include seeds.

Plumeria alba, also known as White Frangipani or Nosegay Tree, is a treethat can be found throughout Australia. It is a tree that has greenfoliage and can produce a white and yellow flower. It has green palmleaves and can produce flowers and coconuts.

Cocos nucifera, also known as the Coconut Palm, is a palm tree that canbe found throughout the tropical regions of the world. It has green palmleaves and can produce flowers and coconuts.

Tamarindus indica, also known as Tamarind, is a tree that can be foundthroughout the tropical regions of the world. It has green foliage andcan produce yellow flowers and reddish brown pods with seeds.

The inventors have discovered that each of the extracts identified abovehave several biological activities, which can be beneficial to skin.Non-limiting examples of some of these biological activities includeinhibition of inflammatory mediators, which can reduce skin erythema,skin redness, or skin irritation. Compositions comprising the extractscan also be used to alleviate pain associated with sensitive or inflamedskin. The extracts can be obtained from any and all parts of the plant(e.g., leaves, stems, bark, roots, fruit, flowers or flower buds, seeds,seed pods, the entire plant, etc.). In particular aspects, the extractis from Nymphaea gigantea flower, Syzygium moorei leaf, Cupaniopsisanacardioides leaf, Archidendron hendersonii flower, Tristaniopsislaurina leaf, Brachychiton acerifolius leaf, Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf,Alphitonia excelsa leaf, Eucalyptus coolabah leaf, Plumeria alba flower,Cocos nucifera milk, or Tamarindus indica leaf extract. The extract canbe aqueous. The extract can include butylene glycol. Butylene glycol canbe used as a solvent to prepare the extract.

A person of ordinary skill in the art would be able to isolate extractsfrom each of the above mentioned plants from parts of these plant byusing any suitable method known in the art. In one non-limiting example,such plants (or any part of the plants—e.g., leaves, stems, bark, roots,fruit, flowers or flower buds, seeds, seed pods, the entire plant, etc.)can be disrupted by mechanical means which results in a puree. The pureeis then processed to be substantially free of impurities or undesiredsolids. The puree can then be poured into a shallow vessel and quicklyexposed to low temperature, i.e., flash frozen, for example at −20° C.or lower, preferably under a vacuum for removal of water content(lyophilization). The resultant extract can then be used in thecompositions of the present invention.

In other aspects, aqueous, alcoholic, or oil based extractiontechniques, or combinations thereof, can be used on the whole plant orany part thereof of (e.g., leaves, stems, bark, roots, fruit, flowers orflower buds, fruit, seeds, seed pods, whole plant, etc.) to produce anextract. In such a process, the desired part of the plant or the wholeplant is crushed up (e.g., blender) and then subjected to a desiredsolvent (e.g., water, alcohol, water/alcohol, or oil based solvents) toobtain the desired extract. The extract can then be stored in liquidform, lyophilized, or subject to further processing techniques (e.g.,heating, cooling, etc.). Extraction processes are well-known to thosehaving ordinary skill in the extract field (e.g., maceration, infusion,percolation, digestion, decoction, hot continuous extraction,aqueous-alcoholic extract, counter current extract, microwave assistedextraction, ultrasound extraction, supercritical fluid extracts,phytonic extract (e.g., with hydro-fluoro-carbon solvents), etc. Inparticular embodiments, butylene glycol extraction works well (seeExamples).

B. Compositions of the Present Invention

1. Combinations and Amounts of Ingredients

It is contemplated that the compositions of the present invention caninclude any one of Nymphaea gigantea extract, Syzygium moorei extract,Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract, Archidendron hendersonii extract,Tristaniopsis laurina extract, Brachychiton acerifolius extract,Stenocarpus sinuatus extract, Alphitonia excelsa extract, Eucalyptuscoolabah extract, Plumeria alba extract, Cocos nucifera extract, orTamarindus indica extract, or any combination of such extracts. Thecompositions can also include additional ingredients describedthroughout this specification. The concentrations of the plant extractsand/or additional ingredients can vary. In non-limiting embodiments, forexample, the compositions can include in their final form, for example,at least about 0.0001%, 0.0002%, 0.0003%, 0.0004%, 0.0005%, 0.0006%,0.0007%, 0.0008%, 0.0009%, 0.0010%, 0.0011%, 0.0012%, 0.0013%, 0.0014%,0.0015%, 0.0016%, 0.0017%, 0.0018%, 0.0019%, 0.0020%, 0.0021%, 0.0022%,0.0023%, 0.0024%, 0.0025%, 0.0026%, 0.0027%, 0.0028%, 0.0029%, 0.0030%,0.0031%, 0.0032%, 0.0033%, 0.0034%, 0.0035%, 0.0036%, 0.0037%, 0.0038%,0.0039%, 0.0040%, 0.0041%, 0.0042%, 0.0043%, 0.0044%, 0.0045%, 0.0046%,0.0047%, 0.0048%, 0.0049%, 0.0050%, 0.0051%, 0.0052%, 0.0053%, 0.0054%,0.0055%, 0.0056%, 0.0057%, 0.0058%, 0.0059%, 0.0060%, 0.0061%, 0.0062%,0.0063%, 0.0064%, 0.0065%, 0.0066%, 0.0067%, 0.0068%, 0.0069%, 0.0070%,0.0071%, 0.0072%, 0.0073%, 0.0074%, 0.0075%, 0.0076%, 0.0077%, 0.0078%,0.0079%, 0.0080%, 0.0081%, 0.0082%, 0.0083%, 0.0084%, 0.0085%, 0.0086%,0.0087%, 0.0088%, 0.0089%, 0.0090%, 0.0091%, 0.0092%, 0.0093%, 0.0094%,0.0095%, 0.0096%, 0.0097%, 0.0098%, 0.0099%, 0.0100%, 0.0200%, 0.0250%,0.0275%, 0.0300%, 0.0325%, 0.0350%, 0.0375%, 0.0400%, 0.0425%, 0.0450%,0.0475%, 0.0500%, 0.0525%, 0.0550%, 0.0575%, 0.0600%, 0.0625%, 0.0650%,0.0675%, 0.0700%, 0.0725%, 0.0750%, 0.0775%, 0.0800%, 0.0825%, 0.0850%,0.0875%, 0.0900%, 0.0925%, 0.0950%, 0.0975%, 0.1000%, 0.1250%, 0.1500%,0.1750%, 0.2000%, 0.2250%, 0.2500%, 0.2750%, 0.3000%, 0.3250%, 0.3500%,0.3750%, 0.4000%, 0.4250%, 0.4500%, 0.4750%, 0.5000%, 0.5250%, 0.550%,0.5750%, 0.6000%, 0.6250%, 0.6500%, 0.6750%, 0.7000%, 0.7250%, 0.7500%,0.7750%, 0.8000%, 0.8250%, 0.8500%, 0.8750%, 0.9000%, 0.9250%, 0.9500%,0.9750%, 1.0%, 1.1%, 1.2%, 1.3%, 1.4%, 1.5%, 1.6%, 1.7%, 1.8%, 1.9%,2.0%, 2.1%, 2.2%, 2.3%, 2.4%, 2.5%, 2.6%, 2.7%, 2.8%, 2.9%, 3.0%, 3.1%,3.2%, 3.3%, 3.4%, 3.5%, 3.6%, 3.7%, 3.8%, 3.9%, 4.0%, 4.1%, 4.2%, 4.3%,4.4%, 4.5%, 4.6%, 4.7%, 4.8%, 4.9%, 5.0%, 5.1%, 5.2%, 5.3%, 5.4%, 5.5%,5.6%, 5.7%, 5.8%, 5.9%, 6.0%, 6.1%, 6.2%, 6.3%, 6.4%, 6.5%, 6.6%, 6.7%,6.8%, 6.9%, 7.0%, 7.1%, 7.2%, 7.3%, 7.4%, 7.5%, 7.6%, 7.7%, 7.8%, 7.9%,8.0%, 8.1%, 8.2%, 8.3%, 8.4%, 8.5%, 8.6%, 8.7%, 8.8%, 8.9%, 9.0%, 9.1%,9.2%, 9.3%, 9.4%, 9.5%, 9.6%, 9.7%, 9.8%, 9.9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%,15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%,29%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or99% or more, or any range or integer derivable therein, of at least oneof the plant extracts identified in this specification or anycombination thereof or additional ingredients. In non-limiting aspects,the percentage of such ingredients can be calculated by weight or volumeof the total weight of the compositions. The concentrations can varydepending on the desired effect of the compositions or on the productinto which the compositions are incorporated.

2. Composition Vehicles

The compositions of the present invention can be formulated into alltypes of vehicles. Non-limiting examples of suitable vehicles includeemulsions (e.g., oil-in-water, water-in-oil, silicone-in-water,water-in-silicone, water-in-oil-in-water, oil-in-water,oil-in-water-in-oil, oil-in-water-in-silicone, etc.), creams, lotions,solutions (both aqueous and hydro-alcoholic), anhydrous bases (such aslipsticks and powders), gels, ointments, pastes, milks, liquids,aerosols, solid forms, or eye jellies. Variations and other appropriatevehicles will be apparent to the skilled artisan and are appropriate foruse in the present invention. In certain aspects, the concentrations andcombinations of the ingredients can be selected in such a way that thecombinations are chemically compatible and do not form complexes whichprecipitate from the finished product.

It is also contemplated that the plant extracts and additionalingredients identified throughout this specification can be encapsulatedfor delivery to a target area such as skin. Non-limiting examples ofencapsulation techniques include the use of liposomes, vesicles, and/ornanoparticles (e.g., biodegradable and non-biodegradable colloidalparticles comprising polymeric materials in which the ingredient istrapped, encapsulated, and/or absorbed—examples include nanospheres andnanocapsules) that can be used as delivery vehicles to deliver suchingredients to skin (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,398; U.S. Pat. No.6,203,802; U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,744; Kreuter 1988).

Also contemplated are pharmaceutically-acceptable orpharmacologically-acceptable compositions. The phrase“pharmaceutically-acceptable” or “pharmacologically-acceptable” includescompositions that do not produce an allergic or similar untowardreaction when administered to a human. Typically, such compositions areprepared either as topical compositions, liquid solutions orsuspensions, solid forms suitable for solution in, or suspension in,liquid prior to use can also be prepared. Routes of administration canvary with the location and nature of the condition to be treated, andinclude, e.g., topical, inhalation, intradermal, transdermal,parenteral, intravenous, intramuscular, intranasal, subcutaneous,percutaneous, intratracheal, intraperitoneal, intratumoral, perfusion,lavage, direct injection (e.g., an injectable solution), and oraladministration and formulation (e.g., tablets, capsules, etc.).

3. Products

The compositions of the present invention can be incorporated intoproducts. Non-limiting examples of products include cosmetic products,food-based products (e.g., fortified water, energy drinks, nutritionaldrinks, vitamins, supplements, solid foods), pharmaceutical products,etc. By way of example only, non-limiting cosmetic products includesunscreen products, sunless skin tanning products, hair products (e.g.,shampoos, conditioners, colorants, dyes, bleaches, straighteners, andpermanent wave products), fingernail products, moisturizing creams, skincreams and lotions, softeners, day lotions, gels, ointments,foundations, night creams, lipsticks and lip balms, cleansers, toners,masks, deodorants, antiperspirants, exfoliating compositions,shaving-related products (e.g., creams, “bracers” and aftershaves),pre-moistened wipes and washcloths, tanning lotions, bath products suchas oils, foot care products such as powders and sprays, skin colorantand make-up products such as foundations, blushes, rouges eye shadowsand lines, lip colors and mascaras, baby products (e.g., baby lotions,oils, shampoos, powders and wet wipes), and skin or facial peelproducts. Additionally, the cosmetic products can be formulated asleave-on or rinse-off products.

4. Additional Ingredients

Compositions of the present invention can include additionalingredients. Non-limiting examples of additional ingredients includecosmetic ingredients (both active and non-active) and pharmaceuticalingredients (both active and non-active).

a. Cosmetic Ingredients

The CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook(2008), 12^(th) Edition, describes a wide variety of non-limitingcosmetic ingredients that can be used in the context of the presentinvention. Examples of these ingredient classes include: fragrances(artificial and natural), dyes and color ingredients (e.g., Blue 1, Blue1 Lake, Red 40, titanium dioxide, D&C blue no. 4, D&C green no. 5, D&Corange no. 4, D&C red no. 17, D&C red no. 33, D&C violet no. 2, D&Cyellow no. 10, and D&C yellow no. 11), adsorbents, emulsifiers,stabilizers, lubricants, solvents, moisturizers (including, e.g.,emollients, humectants, film formers, occlusive agents, and agents thataffect the natural moisturization mechanisms of the skin),water-repellants, UV absorbers (physical and chemical absorbers such asparaminobenzoic acid (“PABA”) and corresponding PABA derivatives,titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, etc.), essential oils, vitamins (e.g., A,B, C, D, E, and K), trace metals (e.g., zinc, calcium and selenium),anti-irritants (e.g., steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories),botanical extracts (e.g., aloe vera, chamomile, cucumber extract, ginkgobiloba, ginseng, and rosemary), anti-microbial agents, antioxidants(e.g., BHT and tocopherol), chelating agents (e.g., disodium EDTA andtetrasodium EDTA), preservatives (e.g., methylparaben andpropylparaben), pH adjusters (e.g., sodium hydroxide and citric acid),absorbents (e.g., aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, kaolin, corn starch,oat starch, cyclodextrin, talc, and zeolite), skin bleaching andlightening agents (e.g., hydroquinone and niacinamide lactate),humectants (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentyleneglycol, sorbitol, urea, and manitol), exfoliants (e.g.,alpha-hydroxyacids, and beta-hydroxyacids such as lactic acid, glycolicacid, and salicylic acid; and salts thereof) waterproofing agents (e.g.,magnesium/aluminum hydroxide stearate), skin conditioning agents (e.g.,aloe extracts, allantoin, bisabolol, ceramides, dimethicone, hyaluronicacid, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate), thickening agents (e.g.,substances which that can increase the viscosity of a composition suchas carboxylic acid polymers, crosslinked polyacrylate polymers,polyacrylamide polymers, polysaccharides, and gums), and siliconecontaining compounds (e.g., silicone oils and polyorganosiloxanes). Thefollowing provides specific non-limiting examples of some of theadditional ingredients that can be used with the compositions of thepresent invention.

i. Sunscreen Agents

UV absorption agents that can be used in combination with thecompositions of the present invention include chemical and physicalsunblocks. Non-limiting examples of chemical sunblocks that can be usedinclude para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), PABA esters (glyceryl PABA,amyldimethyl PABA and octyldimethyl PABA), butyl PABA, ethyl PABA, ethyldihydroxypropyl PABA, benzophenones (oxybenzone, sulisobenzone,benzophenone, and benzophenone-1 through 12), cinnamates (octylmethoxycinnamate, isoamyl p-methoxycinnamate, octylmethoxy cinnamate,cinoxate, diisopropyl methyl cinnamate, DEA-methoxycinnamate, ethyldiisopropylcinnamate, glyceryl octanoate dimethoxycinnamate and ethylmethoxycinnamate), cinnamate esters, salicylates (homomethyl salicylate,benzyl salicylate, glycol salicylate, isopropylbenzyl salicylate, etc.),anthranilates, ethyl urocanate, homosalate, octisalate, dibenzoylmethanederivatives (e.g., avobenzone), octocrylene, octyl triazone, digalloytrioleate, glyceryl aminobenzoate, lawsone with dihydroxyacetone,ethylhexyl triazone, dioctyl butamido triazone, benzylidene malonatepolysiloxane, terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, disodium phenyldibenzimidazole tetrasulfonate, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexylbenzoate, bis diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl benzoate, bisbenzoxazoylphenyl ethylhexylimino triazine, drometrizole trisiloxane,methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, andbis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyltriazine,4-methylbenzylidenecamphor, and isopentyl 4-methoxycinnamate.Non-limiting examples of physical sunblocks include, kaolin, talc,petrolatum and metal oxides (e.g., titanium dioxide and zinc oxide).Compositions of the present invention can have UVA and UVB absorptionproperties. The compositions can have an sun protection factor (SPF) of2, 3, 4, 56, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45,50, 55, 60, 70, 80, 90 or more, or any integer or derivative therein.

ii. Moisturizing Agents

Non-limiting examples of moisturizing agents that can be used with thecompositions of the present invention include amino acids, chondroitinsulfate, diglycerin, erythritol, fructose, glucose, glycerin, glycerolpolymers, glycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, honey, hyaluronic acid,hydrogenated honey, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, inositol, lactitol,maltitol, maltose, mannitol, natural moisturizing factor, PEG-15butanediol, polyglyceryl sorbitol, salts of pyrollidone carboxylic acid,potassium PCA, propylene glycol, sodium glucuronate, sodium PCA,sorbitol, sucrose, trehalose, urea, and xylitol.

Other examples include acetylated lanolin, acetylated lanolin alcohol,acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, acrylates copolymer,alanine, algae extract, aloe barbadensis, aloe-barbadensis extract, aloebarbadensis gel, althea officinalis extract, aluminum starchoctenylsuccinate, aluminum stearate, apricot (prunus armeniaca) kerneloil, arginine, arginine aspartate, arnica montana extract, ascorbicacid, ascorbyl palmitate, aspartic acid, avocado (persea gratissima)oil, barium sulfate, barrier sphingolipids, butyl alcohol, beeswax,behenyl alcohol, beta-sitosterol, BHT, birch (betula alba) bark extract,borage (borago officinalis) extract, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol,butcherbroom (ruscus aculeatus) extract, butylene glycol, calendulaofficinalis extract, calendula officinalis oil, candelilla (euphorbiacerifera) wax, canola oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cardamon(elettaria cardamomum) oil, carnauba (copernicia cerifera) wax,carrageenan (chondrus crispus), carrot (daucus carota sativa) oil,castor (ricinus communis) oil, ceramides, ceresin, ceteareth-5,ceteareth-12, ceteareth-20, cetearyl octanoate, ceteth-20, ceteth-24,cetyl acetate, cetyl octanoate, cetyl palmitate, chamomile (anthemisnobilis) oil, cholesterol, cholesterol esters, cholesterylhydroxystearate, citric acid, clary (salvia sclarea) oil, cocoa(theobroma cacao) butter, coco-caprylate/caprate, coconut (cocosnucifera) oil, collagen, collagen amino acids, corn (zea mays) oil,fatty acids, decyl oleate, dextrin, diazolidinyl urea, dimethiconecopolyol, dimethiconol, dioctyl adipate, dioctyl succinate,dipentaerythrityl hexacaprylate/hexacaprate, DMDM hydantoin, DNA,erythritol, ethoxydiglycol, ethyl linoleate, eucalyptus globulus oil,evening primrose (oenothera biennis) oil, fatty acids, tructose,gelatin, geranium maculatum oil, glucosamine, glucose glutamate,glutamic acid, glycereth-26, glycerin, glycerol, glyceryl distearate,glyceryl hydroxystearate, glyceryl laurate, glyceryl linoleate, glycerylmyristate, glyceryl oleate, glyceryl stearate, glyceryl stearate SE,glycine, glycol stearate, glycol stearate SE, glycosaminoglycans, grape(vitis vinifera) seed oil, hazel (corylus americana) nut oil, hazel(corylus avellana) nut oil, hexylene glycol, honey, hyaluronic acid,hybrid safflower (carthamus tinctorius) oil, hydrogenated castor oil,hydrogenated coco-glycerides, hydrogenated coconut oil, hydrogenatedlanolin, hydrogenated lecithin, hydrogenated palm glyceride,hydrogenated palm kernel oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenatedtallow glyceride, hydrogenated vegetable oil, hydrolyzed collagen,hydrolyzed elastin, hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans, hydrolyzed keratin,hydrolyzed soy protein, hydroxylated lanolin, hydroxyproline,imidazolidinyl urea, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, isocetyl stearate,isocetyl stearoyl stearate, isodecyl oleate, isopropyl isostearate,isopropyl lanolate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropylstearate, isostearamide DEA, isostearic acid, isostearyl lactate,isostearyl neopentanoate, jasmine (jasminum officinale) oil, jojoba(buxus chinensis) oil, kelp, kukui (aleurites moluccana) nut oil,lactamide MEA, laneth-16, laneth-10 acetate, lanolin, lanolin acid,lanolin alcohol, lanolin oil, lanolin wax, lavender (lavandulaangustifolia) oil, lecithin, lemon (citrus medica limonum) oil, linoleicacid, linolenic acid, macadamia ternifolia nut oil, magnesium stearate,magnesium sulfate, maltitol, matricaria (chamomilla recutita) oil,methyl glucose sesquistearate, methylsilanol PCA, microcrystalline wax,mineral oil, mink oil, mortierella oil, myristyl lactate, myristylmyristate, myristyl propionate, neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate,octyldodecanol, octyldodecyl myristate, octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate,octyl hydroxystearate, octyl palmitate, octyl salicylate, octylstearate, oleic acid, olive (olea europaea) oil, orange (citrusaurantium dulcis) oil, palm (elaeis guineensis) oil, palmitic acid,pantethine, panthenol, panthenyl ethyl ether, paraffin, PCA, peach(prunus persica) kernel oil, peanut (arachis hypogaea) oil, PEG-8 C12-18ester, PEG-15 cocamine, PEG-150 distearate, PEG-60 glyceryl isostearate,PEG-5 glyceryl stearate, PEG-30 glyceryl stearate, PEG-7 hydrogenatedcastor oil, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-60 hydrogenated castoroil, PEG-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate, PEG40 sorbitan peroleate,PEG-5 soy sterol, PEG-10 soy sterol, PEG-2 stearate, PEG-8 stearate,PEG-20 stearate, PEG-32 stearate, PEG40 stearate, PEG-50 stearate,PEG-100 stearate, PEG-150 stearate, pentadecalactone, peppermint (menthapiperita) oil, petrolatum, phospholipids, polyamino sugar condensate,polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate, polyquaternium-24, polysorbate 20,polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, polysorbate 85,potassium myristate, potassium palmitate, potassium sorbate, potassiumstearate, propylene glycol, propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate,propylene glycol dioctanoate, propylene glycol dipelargonate, propyleneglycol laurate, propylene glycol stearate, propylene glycol stearate SE,PVP, pyridoxine dipalmitate, quaternium-15, quaternium-18 hectorite,quaternium-22, retinol, retinyl palmitate, rice (oryza sativa) bran oil,RNA, rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) oil, rose oil, safflower(carthamus tinctorius) oil, sage (salvia officinalis) oil, salicylicacid, sandalwood (santalum album) oil, serine, serum protein, sesame(sesamum indicum) oil, shea butter (butyrospermum parkii), silk powder,sodium chondroitin sulfate, sodium hyaluronate, sodium lactate, sodiumpalmitate, sodium PCA, sodium polyglutamate, sodium stearate, solublecollagen, sorbic acid, sorbitan laurate, sorbitan oleate, sorbitanpalmitate, sorbitan sesquioleate, sorbitan stearate, sorbitol, soybean(glycine soja) oil, sphingolipids, squalane, squalene, stearamideMEA-stearate, stearic acid, stearoxy dimethicone,stearoxytrimethylsilane, stearyl alcohol, stearyl glycyrrhetinate,stearyl heptanoate, stearyl stearate, sunflower (helianthus annuus) seedoil, sweet almond (prunus amygdalus dulcis) oil, synthetic beeswax,tocopherol, tocopheryl acetate, tocopheryl linoleate, tribehenin,tridecyl neopentanoate, tridecyl stearate, triethanolamine, tristearin,urea, vegetable oil, water, waxes, wheat (triticum vulgare) germ oil,and ylang ylang (cananga odorata) oil.

iii. Antioxidants

Non-limiting examples of antioxidants that can be used with thecompositions of the present invention include acetyl cysteine, ascorbicacid polypeptide, ascorbyl dipalmitate, ascorbyl methylsilanolpectinate, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl stearate, BHA, BHT, t-butylhydroquinone, cysteine, cysteine HCl, diamylhydroquinone,di-t-butylhydroquinone, dicetyl thiodipropionate, dioleyl tocopherylmethylsilanol, disodium ascorbyl sulfate, distearyl thiodipropionate,ditridecyl thiodipropionate, dodecyl gallate, erythorbic acid, esters ofascorbic acid, ethyl ferulate, ferulic acid, gallic acid esters,hydroquinone, isooctyl thioglycolate, kojic acid, magnesium ascorbate,magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, methylsilanol ascorbate, natural botanicalanti-oxidants such as green tea or grape seed extracts,nordihydroguaiaretic acid, octyl gallate, phenylthioglycolic acid,potassium ascorbyl tocopheryl phosphate, potassium sulfite, propylgallate, quinones, rosmarinic acid, sodium ascorbate, sodium bisulfite,sodium erythorbate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite, superoxidedismutase, sodium thioglycolate, sorbityl furfural, thiodiglycol,thiodiglycolamide, thiodiglycolic acid, thioglycolic acid, thiolacticacid, thiosalicylic acid, tocophereth-5, tocophereth-10, tocophereth-12,tocophereth-18, tocophereth-50, tocopherol, tocophersolan, tocopherylacetate, tocopheryl linoleate, tocopheryl nicotinate, tocopherylsuccinate, and tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite.

iv. Structuring Agents

In other non-limiting aspects, the compositions of the present inventioncan include a structuring agent. Structuring agents, in certain aspects,assist in providing rheological characteristics to the composition tocontribute to the composition's stability. In other aspects, structuringagents can also function as an emulsifier or surfactant. Non-limitingexamples of structuring agents include stearic acid, palmitic acid,stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, stearic acid, palmiticacid, the polyethylene glycol ether of stearyl alcohol having an averageof about 1 to about 21 ethylene oxide units, the polyethylene glycolether of cetyl alcohol having an average of about 1 to about 5 ethyleneoxide units, and mixtures thereof.

v. Emulsifiers

In some non-limiting aspects, the compositions can include one or moreemulsifiers. Emulsifiers can reduce the interfacial tension betweenphases and improve the formulation and stability of an emulsion. Theemulsifiers can be nonionic, cationic, anionic, and zwitterionicemulsifiers (See McCutcheon's (1986); U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,011,681;4,421,769; 3,755,560). Non-limiting examples include esters of glycerin,esters of propylene glycol, fatty acid esters of polyethylene glycol,fatty acid esters of polypropylene glycol, esters of sorbitol, esters ofsorbitan anhydrides, carboxylic acid copolymers, esters and ethers ofglucose, ethoxylated ethers, ethoxylated alcohols, alkyl phosphates,polyoxyethylene fatty ether phosphates, fatty acid amides, acyllactylates, soaps, TEA stearate, DEA oleth-3 phosphate, polyethyleneglycol 20 sorbitan monolaurate (polysorbate 20), polyethylene glycol 5soya sterol, steareth-2, steareth-20, steareth-21, ceteareth-20, PPG-2methyl glucose ether distearate, ceteth-10, polysorbate 80, cetylphosphate, potassium cetyl phosphate, diethanolamine cetyl phosphate,polysorbate 60, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, and mixturesthereof.

vi. Silicone Containing Compounds

In non-limiting aspects, silicone containing compounds include anymember of a family of polymeric products whose molecular backbone ismade up of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms with side groupsattached to the silicon atoms. By varying the —Si—O— chain lengths, sidegroups, and crosslinking, silicones can be synthesized into a widevariety of materials. They can vary in consistency from liquid to gel tosolids.

The silicone containing compounds that can be used in the context of thepresent invention include those described in this specification or thoseknown to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Non-limiting examplesinclude silicone oils (e.g., volatile and non-volatile oils), gels, andsolids. In preferred aspects, the silicon containing compounds includesa silicone oils such as a polyorganosiloxane. Non-limiting examples ofpolyorganosiloxanes include dimethicone, cyclomethicone,polysilicone-11, phenyl trimethicone, trimethylsilylamodimethicone,stearoxytrimethylsilane, or mixtures of these and other organosiloxanematerials in any given ratio in order to achieve the desired consistencyand application characteristics depending upon the intended application(e.g., to a particular area such as the skin, hair, or eyes). A“volatile silicone oil” includes a silicone oil have a low heat ofvaporization, i.e. normally less than about 50 cal per gram of siliconeoil. Non-limiting examples of volatile silicone oils include:cyclomethicones such as Dow Corning 344 Fluid, Dow Corning 345 Fluid,Dow Corning 244 Fluid, and Dow Corning 245 Fluid, Volatile Silicon 7207(Union Carbide Corp., Danbury, Conn.); low viscosity dimethicones, i.e.dimethicones having a viscosity of about 50 cst or less (e.g.,dimethicones such as Dow Corning 200-0.5 cst Fluid). The Dow CorningFluids are available from Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, Mich.Cyclomethicone and dimethicone are described in the Third Edition of theCTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary (incorporated by reference) ascyclic dimethyl polysiloxane compounds and a mixture of fully methylatedlinear siloxane polymers end-blocked with trimethylsiloxy units,respectively. Other non-limiting volatile silicone oils that can be usedin the context of the present invention include those available fromGeneral Electric Co., Silicone Products Div., Waterford, N.Y. and SWSSilicones Div. of Stauffer Chemical Co., Adrian, Mich.

vii. Essential Oils

Essential oils include oils derived from herbs, flowers, trees, andother plants. Such oils are typically present as tiny droplets betweenthe plant's cells, and can be extracted by several method known to thoseof skill in the art (e.g., steam distilled, enfleurage (i.e., extractionby using fat), maceration, solvent extraction, or mechanical pressing).When these types of oils are exposed to air they tend to evaporate(i.e., a volatile oil). As a result, many essential oils are colorless,but with age they can oxidize and become darker. Essential oils areinsoluble in water and are soluble in alcohol, ether, fixed oils(vegetal), and other organic solvents. Typical physical characteristicsfound in essential oils include boiling points that vary from about 160°to 240° C. and densities ranging from about 0.759 to about 1.096.

Essential oils typically are named by the plant from which the oil isfound. For example, rose oil or peppermint oil are derived from rose orpeppermint plants, respectively. Non-limiting examples of essential oilsthat can be used in the context of the present invention include sesameoil, macadamia nut oil, tea tree oil, evening primrose oil, Spanish sageoil, Spanish rosemary oil, coriander oil, thyme oil, pimento berriesoil, rose oil, anise oil, balsam oil, bergamot oil, rosewood oil, cedaroil, chamomile oil, sage oil, clary sage oil, clove oil, cypress oil,eucalyptus oil, fennel oil, sea fennel oil, frankincense oil, geraniumoil, ginger oil, grapefruit oil, jasmine oil, juniper oil, lavender oil,lemon oil, lemongrass oil, lime oil, mandarin oil, marjoram oil, myrrhoil, neroli oil, orange oil, patchouli oil, pepper oil, black pepperoil, petitgrain oil, pine oil, rose otto oil, rosemary oil, sandalwoodoil, spearmint oil, spikenard oil, vetiver oil, wintergreen oil, orylang ylang. Other essential oils known to those of skill in the art arealso contemplated as being useful within the context of the presentinvention.

viii. Thickening Agents

Thickening agents, including thickener or gelling agents, includesubstances that can increase the viscosity of a composition. Thickenersinclude those that can increase the viscosity of a composition withoutsubstantially modifying the efficacy of the active ingredient within thecomposition. Thickeners can also increase the stability of thecompositions of the present invention.

Non-limiting examples of additional thickening agents that can be usedin the context of the present invention include carboxylic acidpolymers, crosslinked polyacrylate polymers, polyacrylamide polymers,polysaccharides, and gums. Examples of carboxylic acid polymers includecrosslinked compounds containing one or more monomers derived fromacrylic acid, substituted acrylic acids, and salts and esters of theseacrylic acids and the substituted acrylic acids, wherein thecrosslinking agent contains two or more carbon-carbon double bonds andis derived from a polyhydric alcohol (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,087,445;4,509,949; 2,798,053; CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary,Fourth edition, 1991, pp. 12 and 80). Examples of commercially availablecarboxylic acid polymers include carbomers, which are homopolymers ofacrylic acid crosslinked with allyl ethers of sucrose or pentaerytritol(e.g., Carbopol™ 900 series from B. F. Goodrich).

Non-limiting examples of crosslinked polyacrylate polymers includecationic and nonionic polymers. Examples are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,100,660; 4,849,484; 4,835,206; 4,628,078; 4,599,379).

Non-limiting examples of polyacrylamide polymers (including nonionicpolyacrylamide polymers including substituted branched or unbranchedpolymers) include polyacrylamide, isoparaffin and laureth-7, multi-blockcopolymers of acrylamides and substituted acrylamides with acrylic acidsand substituted acrylic acids.

Non-limiting examples of polysaccharides include cellulose,carboxymethyl hydroxyethylcellulose, cellulose acetate propionatecarboxylate, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl ethylcellulose,hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylhydroxyethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium cellulosesulfate, and mixtures thereof. Another example is an alkyl substitutedcellulose where the hydroxy groups of the cellulose polymer ishydroxyalkylated (preferably hydroxy ethylated or hydroxypropylated) toform a hydroxyalkylated cellulose which is then further modified with aC₁₀-C₃₀ straight chain or branched chain alkyl group through an etherlinkage. Typically these polymers are ethers of C₁₀-C₃₀ straight orbranched chain alcohols with hydroxyalkylcelluloses. Other usefulpolysaccharides include scleroglucans comprising a linear chain of (1-3)linked glucose units with a (1-6) linked glucose every three unit.

Non-limiting examples of gums that can be used with the presentinvention include acacia, agar, algin, alginic acid, ammonium alginate,amylopectin, calcium alginate, calcium carrageenan, carnitine,carrageenan, dextrin, gelatin, gellan gum, guar gum, guarhydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, hectorite, hyaluroinic acid, hydratedsilica, hydroxypropyl chitosan, hydroxypropyl guar, karaya gum, kelp,locust bean gum, natto gum, potassium alginate, potassium carrageenan,propylene glycol alginate, sclerotium gum, sodium carboxymethyl dextran,sodium carrageenan, tragacanth gum, xanthan gum, and mixtures thereof.

b. Pharmaceutical Ingredients

Pharmaceutical ingredients are also contemplated as being useful withthe emulsion compositions of the present invention. Non-limitingexamples of pharmaceutical ingredients include anti-acne agents, agentsused to treat rosacea, analgesics, anesthetics, anorectals,antihistamines, anti-inflammatory agents including non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals,antimicrobials, anti-cancer actives, scabicides, pediculicides,antineoplastics, antiperspirants, antipruritics, antipsoriatic agents,antiseborrheic agents, biologically active proteins and peptides, burntreatment agents, cauterizing agents, depigmenting agents, depilatories,diaper rash treatment agents, enzymes, hair growth stimulants, hairgrowth retardants including DFMO and its salts and analogs, hemostatics,kerotolytics, canker sore treatment agents, cold sore treatment agents,dental and periodontal treatment agents, photosensitizing actives, skinprotectant/barrier agents, steroids including hormones andcorticosteroids, sunburn treatment agents, sunscreens, transdermalactives, nasal actives, vaginal actives, wart treatment agents, woundtreatment agents, wound healing agents, etc.

C. Kits

Kits are also contemplated as being used in certain aspects of thepresent invention. For instance, a composition of the present inventioncan be included in a kit. A kit can include a container. Containers caninclude a bottle, a metal tube, a laminate tube, a plastic tube, adispenser, a pressurized container, a barrier container, a package, acompartment, a lipstick container, a compact container, cosmetic pansthat can hold cosmetic compositions, or other types of containers suchas injection or blow-molded plastic containers into which thedispersions or compositions or desired bottles, dispensers, or packagesare retained. The kit and/or container can include indicia on itssurface. The indicia, for example, can be a word, a phrase, anabbreviation, a picture, or a symbol.

The containers can dispense a pre-determined amount of a composition. Inother embodiments, the container can be squeezed (e.g., metal, laminate,or plastic tube) to dispense a desired amount of the composition. Thecomposition can be dispensed as a spray, foam, an aerosol, a liquid, afluid, or a semi-solid. The containers can have spray, pump, or squeezemechanisms. A kit can also include instructions for using the kit and/orcompositions. Instructions can include an explanation of how to apply,use, and maintain the compositions.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are included to demonstrate certain non-limitingaspects of the invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill inthe art that the techniques disclosed in the examples which followrepresent techniques discovered by the inventor to function well in thepractice of the invention. However, those of skill in the art should, inlight of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can bemade in the specific embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain alike or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

Example 1

An aqueous extract of Nymphaea gigantea flower in butylene glycol wasused to obtain the data in Table I. Butylene glycol was used as theextraction solvent.

TABLE I AO Elastase TNF-α MMP1 Extract Assay Assay Assay Assay Nymphaeagigantea — — exhibited exhibited flower extract* inhibition inhibitionof TNF-α of MMP1 activity activity *Extract was obtained from SouthernCross Botanicals Pty. Ltd., Knockrow, New South Wales (Australia).

Antioxidant (AO) Assay:

Anti-Oxidant capacity kit #709001 from Cayman Chemical (Ann Arbor, Mich.USA) was used as an in vitro bioassay to measure the total anti-oxidantcapacity of the extracts identified in Table 1. The protocol wasfollowed according to manufacturer recommendations. The assay relied onantioxidants in the sample to inhibit the oxidation of ABTS®(2,2′-azino-di-[3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulphonate]) to ABTS®.+ bymetmyoglobin. The capacity of the antioxidants in the sample to preventABTS oxidation was compared with that Trolox, a water-soluble tocopherolanalogue, and was quantified as a molar Trolox equivalent. Extracts thathave antioxidant capabilities can protect a target (e.g., skin, food,etc.) from oxidative damage from free-radicals, reactive oxygen species,UV radiation, etc.

Elastase Assay:

EnzChek® Elastase Assay (Kit# E-12056) from Molecular Probes (Eugene,Oreg. USA) was used as an in vitro enzyme inhibition assay for measuringinhibition of elastase activity for the extracts identified in Table 1.The EnzChek kit contains soluble bovine neck ligament elastin that hasbeen labeled with dye such that the conjugate's fluorescence isquenched. The non-fluorescent substrate can be digested by elastase orother proteases to yield highly fluorescent fragments. The resultingincrease in fluorescence can be monitored with a fluorescence microplatereader. Digestion products from the elastin substrate have absorptionmaxima at ˜505 nm and fluorescence emission maxima at ˜515 nm. Thepeptide, chloromethyl ketone, is used as a selective, collectiveinhibitor of elastase when utilizing the EnzChek Elastase Assay Kit forscreening for elastase inhibitors. Extracts that have the ability toinhibit elastase activity can increase (or prevent the loss of) elastinpresent in the skin. This can firm skin, tone skin, reduce theappearance of fine lines or wrinkles, etc.

Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) Assay:

The anti-irritant capability of the extracts identified in Table 1 wereevaluated by measuring inhibition of TNF-α release by primary humankeratinocytes in response to stress. Primary human keratinocytes wereinduced to release TNF-α, a pleiotropic cytokine that plays a centralrole in inflammation, in the presence or absence of the extract. TNF-αsecretion was quantified using R&D Systems (Minneapolis, Minn. USA)TNF-α Enzyme-linked Immunosorbant Assay #DTA00C according tomanufacturer instructions. This sandwich immunoassay technique usedcolor development to quantify the amount of TNF-α present in thecellular supernatant. Color developed in proportion to the amount ofTNF-α and was detected at 450 nm using a microplate reader. Data werecalculated as % inhibition of the untreated controls. Negative valuesdemonstrated the ability of test ingredients to inhibit the productionof TNF-α compared to controls. Extracts that have the ability to inhibitTNF-α activity can reduce or prevent the deleterious effects caused bythe inflammatory pathway (e.g., reduce skin inflammation, treat orprevent inflammatory diseases, etc.).

Matrix Metalloproteinase Enzyme Activity (MMP1) Assay:

Collagen, an extracellular matrix protein produced in healthy skin, isdegraded by the enzyme collagenase. The Invitrogen (Carlsbad, Calif.USA) EnzChek Gelatinase/Collagenase Assay Kit #E-12055 was used toquantify the capability of the extracts identified in Table 1 to inhibitthe activity of MMP1 (Collagenase). The protocol was followed accordingto manufacturer recommendations. The assay contained a soluble gelatinsubstrate labeled with a fluorescent dye such that the conjugate'sfluorescence was quenched. Once cleaved by collagenase or otherproteases, the substrate yielded highly fluorescent fragments measuredusing a microplate reader. The non-fluorescent substrate was incubatedwith MMP1 in the presence or absence of the extract. The ability of theextracts to prevent substrate cleavage was quantified and compared topositive controls. Extracts that have the ability to inhibit MMP1activity can increase (or prevent the loss of) collagen present in theskin. This can firm skin, tone skin, reduce the appearance of fine linesor wrinkles, etc.

Example 2

An aqueous extract of Tristaniopsis laurina leaf in butylene glycol wasused to obtain the data in Table II. Butylene glycol was used as theextraction solvent.

TABLE II* AO Elastase TNF-α MMP1 Extract Assay Assay Assay AssayTristaniopsis — exhibited exhibited — laurina inhibition inhibition leafextract** of elastase of TNF-α activity activity *Data obtained by usingthe same assays described in Example 1. **Extract was obtained fromSouthern Cross Botanicals Pty. Ltd., Knockrow, New South Wales(Australia).

Example 3

A blend of aqueous extracts of Cupaniopsis anacardiodes leaf, Syzygiummooreii leaf, and Archidendron hendersonii flower in butylene glycolwere used to obtain the data in Table III. Butylene glycol was used asthe extraction solvent.

TABLE III* AO Elastase TNF-α MMP1 Extract Assay Assay Assay Assay Blendof Cupaniopsis exhibited exhibited exhibited exhibited anacardiodesleaf, antioxidant inhibition inhibition inhibition Syzygium mooreiiactivity of elastase of TNF-α of MMP1 leaf, and Archidendron activityactivity activity hendersonii flower extracts** *Data obtained by usingthe same assays described in Example 1. **Blend was obtained fromSouthern Cross Botanicals Pty. Ltd., Knockrow, New South Wales(Australia).

Example 4

A blend of aqueous extracts of Nymphaea gigantea flower, Tristaniopsislaurina leaf, and Eucalyptus coolabah leaf in butylene glycol were usedto obtain the data in Table IV.

TABLE IV* AO Elastase TNF-α MMP1 Extract Assay Assay Assay Assay Blendof Nymphaea — exhibited exhibited exhibited gigantea flower, inhibitioninhibition inhibition Tristaniopsis laurina of elastase of TNF-α of MMP1leaf, and Eucalyptus activity activity activity coolabah leaf extracts***Data obtained by using the same assays described in Example 1. **Blendwas obtained from Southern Cross Botanicals Pty. Ltd., Knockrow, NewSouth Wales (Australia).

Example 5

A blend of aqueous extracts of Plumeria alba flower, Cocos nuciferamilk, and Tamarindus indicia leaf extracts in butylene glycol were usedto obtain the data in Table V. Butylene glycol was used as theextraction solvent.

TABLE V* AO Elastase TNF-α MMP1 Extract Assay Assay Assay Assay Blend ofPlumeria alba — exhibited exhibited exhibited flower, Cocos nuciferainhibition inhibition inhibition milk, and Tamarindus of elastase ofTNF-α of MMP1 indicia leaf extracts** activity activity activity *Dataobtained by using the same assays described in Example 1. **Blend wasobtained from Southern Cross Botanicals Pty. Ltd., Knockrow, New SouthWales (Australia).

Example 6

A blend of aqueous extracts of Brachychiton acerifolius leaf,Stenocarpus sinuatus leaf, and Alphitonia excelsa leaf extracts inbutylene glycol were used to obtain the data in Table VI. Butyleneglycol was used as the extraction solvent.

TABLE VI* AO Elastase TNF-α MMP1 Extract Assay Assay Assay AssayBrachychiton acerifolius — — exhibited exhibited leaf, Stenocarpussinuatus inhibition inhibition leaf, and Alphitonia of TNF-α of MMP1excelsa leaf extracts** activity activity *Data obtained by using thesame assays described in Example 1. **Blend was obtained from SouthernCross Botanicals Pty. Ltd., Knockrow, New South Wales (Australia).

Example 7

Each extract listed in Table VII is an aqueous extract in butyleneglycol. Butylene glycol was used as the extraction solvent. The data inTable VII was obtained by using the same assays described in Example 1.Each extract was obtained from Southern Cross Botanicals Pty. Ltd.,Knockrow, New South Wales (Australia).

TABLE VII AO Elastase TNF-α MMP1 Extract Assay Assay Assay AssaySyzygium moorei exhibited — exhibited — leaf some inhibition antioxidantof TNF-α activity activity Cupaniopsis exhibited exhibited exhibitedexhibited anacardioides antioxidant inhibition inhibition inhibitionleaf activity of elastase of TNF-α of MMP1 activity activity activityArchidendron — exhibited some exhibited — hendersonii inhibitioninhibition flower of elastase of TNF-α activity activity Eucalyptus —exhibited exhibited — coolabah leaf inhibition inhibition of elastase ofTNF-α activity activity Brachychiton — — exhibited exhibited acerifoliusinhibition inhibition leaf of TNF-α of MMP1 activity activityStenocarpus — — exhibited — sinuatus leaf inhibition of TNF-α activityAlphitonia — — exhibited — excelsa leaf inhibition of TNF-α activityPlumeria alba — exhibited some exhibited — flower inhibition inhibitionof elastase of TNF-α activity activity Cocos nucifera — exhibited someexhibited exhibited milk inhibition inhibition inhibition of elastase ofTNF-α of MMP1 activity activity activity Tamarindus — exhibited someexhibited exhibited indica leaf inhibition inhibition inhibition ofelastase of TNF-α of MMP1 activity activity activity

Example 8

Tables VIII and IX describe generic skin testing formulations in which askin active ingredient can be incorporated into to determine the typesof skin benefits that can be attributed to the skin active ingredient.These formulations are prepared in such a manner that any resulting skinbenefit from topical application of the formula to skin can be directlyattributed to the skin active ingredient being tested. In the context ofthe present invention, the skin active ingredient that can be tested canbe any of the extracts identified in Tables I-V and any combinationthereof. Further, any portion of the plant can be used for testing(e.g., root, stem, leaf, flower, flower bulb, bark, fruit, seed, seedpod, whole plant etc.). It should be recognized that other standardtesting vehicles can also be used to determine the skin benefitproperties of extracts obtained from the plant extracts and that thefollowing formulations are non-limiting testing vehicles.

TABLE VIII* Ingredient % Concentration (by weight) Phase A Water 84.80Xanthum gum 0.1 M-paraben 0.15 P-paraben 0.1 Citric acid 0.1 Phase BCetyl alcohol 4.0 Glyceryl stearate + PEG 100 4.0 Octyl palmitate 4.0Dimethicone 1.0 Tocopheryl acetate 0.2 Phase C** Skin Active Ingredient2.0 TOTAL 100 *Procedure for making composition: Sprinkle Xanthum gum inwater and mix for 10 min. Subsequently, add all ingredients in phase Aand heat to 70-75° C. Add all items in phase B to separate beaker andheat to 70-75° C. Mix phases A and B at 70-75° C. Continue mixing andallow composition to cool to 30° C. Subsequently, add phase C ingredientwhile mixing. **The plant extracts identified throughout thisspecification can be incorporated into this testing formulation as theskin active ingredient. The extracts can be individually used orcombined in this testing vehicle. The concentration ranges of theextract (or combination of extracts) can be modified as desired orneeded by increasing or decreasing the amount of water.

TABLE IX* Ingredient % Concentration (by weight) Phase A Water 78.6M-paraben 0.2 P-paraben 0.1 Na2 EDTA 0.1 Shea butter 4.5 Petrolatum 4.5Glycerin 4.0 Propylene Glycol 2.0 Finsolve TN 2.0 Phase B Sepigel 3052.0 Phase C** Skin Active Ingredient 2.0 TOTAL 100 *Add ingredients inphase A to beaker and heat to 70-75° C. while mixing. Subsequently, addthe phase B ingredient with phase A and cool to 30° C. with mixing.Subsequently, add phase C ingredient while mixing. **The plant extractsidentified throughout this specification can be incorporated into thistesting formulation as the skin active ingredient. The extracts can beindividually used or combined in this testing vehicle. The concentrationranges of the extract (or combination of extracts) can be modified asdesired or needed by increasing or decreasing the amount of water.

The formulations represented in Table X-XV are non-limiting examples ofthe types of formulations that can be prepared in the context of thepresent invention. Any standard method can be used to prepare suchformulations. For instance, simple mixing of the ingredients in a beakercan be used. One should mix such ingredients and add heat as necessaryto obtain a homogenous composition.

Table X includes a non-limiting example of a composition of the presentinvention. The composition can be formulated into an emulsion (e.g.,o/w, w/o, o/w/o, w/o/w, etc.) and the additional ingredients identifiedthroughout the specification can be included into the Table Xcomposition (e.g., by adjusting the water content of composition).Further, the concentration ranges of the ingredients identified in TableX can vary depending on a desired formulation (e.g., cream, lotion,moisturizer cleanser, etc.).

TABLE X Ingredient % Concentration (by weight) Water q.s. Skin activeingredient* 0.1% to 10% Glycerin 3 to 40% Butylene glycol 0.0001 to 10%Propylene glycol 0.0001 to 10% Phenoxyethanol 0.0001 to 10% DisodiumEDTA 0.0001 to 10% Steareth-20 0.0001 to 10% Chlorhexidine Diglunonate0.0001 to 10% Potasium Sorbate 0.0001 to 10% Preservative** 0.0001 to 2%TOTAL 100 *Skin active ingredient can be any of the individual plantextracts identified throughout the specification or any combination ofsuch extracts (e.g., Nymphaea gigantea extract, Syzygium moorei extract,Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract, Archidendron hendersonii extract,Tristaniopsis laurina extract, Brachychiton acerifolius extract,Stenocarpus sinuatus extract, Alphitonia excelsa extract, Eucalyptuscoolabah extract, Plumeria alba extract, Cocos nucifera extract, orTamarindus indica extract, or any combination of such extracts). Anyportion of the plant can be used to create the skin-active extract(e.g., root, stem, leaf, flower, flower bulb, bark, fruit, seed, seedpod, whole plant etc.). In particular embodiments, the extract can beNymphaea gigantea extract, Syzygium moorei extract, Cupaniopsisanacardioides extract, Archidendron hendersonii extract, Tristaniopsislaurina extract, Brachychiton acerifolius extract, or Stenocarpussinuatus extract, or any combination of such extracts. In even moreparticular aspects, the extract can be a Nymphaea gigantea extract.**Any preservative can be used identified in the specification or thoseknown in the art.

Table XI includes a non-limiting example of a composition of the presentinvention. The composition can be formulated into an emulsion (e.g.,o/w, w/o, o/w/o, w/o/w, etc.) and the additional ingredients identifiedthroughout the specification can be included into the Table XIcomposition (e.g., by adjusting the water content of composition).Further, the concentration ranges of the ingredients identified in TableXI can vary depending on a desired formulation (e.g., cream, lotion,moisturizer cleanser, etc.).

TABLE XI Ingredient % Concentration (by weight) Water q.s. Skin activeingredient* 0.1% to 10% Dimethicone 0.0001 to 10% Triethanolamine 0.0001to 10% Phenonip 0.0001 to 10% Betaine 0.0001 to 10% Disodium EDTA 0.0001to 10% Tocopheryl acetate 0.0001 to 10% Prodew 400 0.0001 to 10%Preservative** 0.0001 to 2% TOTAL 100 *Skin active ingredient can be anyof the individual plant extracts identified throughout the specificationor any combination of such extracts (e.g., Nymphaea gigantea extract,Syzygium moorei extract, Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract, Archidendronhendersonii extract, Tristaniopsis laurina extract, Brachychitonacerifolius extract, Stenocarpus sinuatus extract, Alphitonia excelsaextract, Eucalyptus coolabah extract, Plumeria alba extract, Cocosnucifera extract, or Tamarindus indica extract, or any combination ofsuch extracts). Any portion of the plant can be used to create theskin-active extract (e.g., root, stem, leaf, flower, flower bulb, bark,fruit, seed, seed pod, whole plant etc.). In particular embodiments, theextract can be Nymphaea gigantea extract, Syzygium moorei extract,Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract, Archidendron hendersonii extract,Tristaniopsis laurina extract, Brachychiton acerifolius extract, orStenocarpus sinuatus extract, or any combination of such extracts. Ineven more particular aspects, the extract can be a Nymphaea giganteaextract. **Any preservative can be used identified in the specificationor those known in the art.

Table XII includes a non-limiting example of a composition of thepresent invention. The composition can be formulated into an emulsion(e.g., o/w, w/o, o/w/o, w/o/w, etc.) and the additional ingredientsidentified throughout the specification can be included into the TableXII composition (e.g., by adjusting the water content of composition).Further, the concentration ranges of the ingredients identified in TableXII can vary depending on a desired formulation (e.g., cream, lotion,moisturizer cleanser, etc.). In particular embodiments, the Table XIIcomposition can be a moisturizer.

TABLE XII Ingredient % Concentration (by weight) Water q.s. Skin activeingredient* 0.1% to 10% Glycerin 0.0001 to 10% Pentylene Glycol 0.0001to 10% Capryl Glycol 0.0001 to 10% Disodium EDTA 0.0001 to 10%Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride 0.0001 to 10% Lipex 205 (Shea Butter)0.0001 to 10% Squalane 0.0001 to 10% Cetyl Alcohol 0.0001 to 10%Dimethicone 0.0001 to 10% Ceramide II 0.0001 to 10% Stearic Acid 0.0001to 10% Super Sterol Ester 0.0001 to 10% Arlacel 165 0.0001 to 10%Simulgel 600 0.0001 to 10% TOTAL 100 *Skin active ingredient can be anyof the individual plant extracts identified throughout the specificationor any combination of such extracts (e.g., Nymphaea gigantea extract,Syzygium moorei extract, Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract, Archidendronhendersonii extract, Tristaniopsis laurina extract, Brachychitonacerifolius extract, Stenocarpus sinuatus extract, Alphitonia excelsaextract, Eucalyptus coolabah extract, Plumeria alba extract, Cocosnucifera extract, or Tamarindus indica extract, or any combination ofsuch extracts). Any portion of the plant can be used to create theskin-active extract (e.g., root, stem, leaf, flower, flower bulb, bark,fruit, seed, seed pod, whole plant etc.). In particular embodiments, theextract can be Nymphaea gigantea extract, Syzygium moorei extract,Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract, Archidendron hendersonii extract,Tristaniopsis laurina extract, Brachychiton acerifolius extract, orStenocarpus sinuatus extract, or any combination of such extracts. Ineven more particular aspects, the extract can be a Nymphaea giganteaextract.

Table XIII includes a non-limiting example of a composition of thepresent invention. The composition can be formulated into an emulsion(e.g., o/w, w/o, o/w/o, w/o/w, etc.) and the additional ingredientsidentified throughout the specification can be included into the TableXIII composition (e.g., by adjusting the water content of composition).Further, the concentration ranges of the ingredients identified in TableXIII can vary depending on a desired formulation (e.g., cream, lotion,moisturizer cleanser, etc.). In particular embodiments, the Table XIIIcomposition can be a moisturizer.

TABLE XIII Ingredient % Concentration (by weight) Water q.s. Skin activeingredient* 0.1% to 10% Glycerin 0.0001 to 10% Pentylene Glycol 0.0001to 10% Capryl Glycol 0.0001 to 10% Disodium EDTA 0.0001 to 10%Petrolatum 0.0001 to 10% Squalane 0.0001 to 10% Cetyl Alcohol 0.0001 to10% Arlacel 165 0.0001 to 10% Dimethicone 0.0001 to 10% Simulgel 6000.0001 to 10% TOTAL 100 *Skin active ingredient can be any of theindividual plant extracts identified throughout the specification or anycombination of such extracts (e.g., Nymphaea gigantea extract, Syzygiummoorei extract, Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract, Archidendronhendersonii extract, Tristaniopsis laurina extract, Brachychitonacerifolius extract, Stenocarpus sinuatus extract, Alphitonia excelsaextract, Eucalyptus coolabah extract, Plumeria alba extract, Cocosnucifera extract, or Tamarindus indica extract, or any combination ofsuch extracts). Any portion of the plant can be used to create theskin-active extract (e.g., root, stem, leaf, flower, flower bulb, bark,fruit, seed, seed pod, whole plant etc.). In particular embodiments, theextract can be Nymphaea gigantea extract, Syzygium moorei extract,Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract, Archidendron hendersonii extract,Tristaniopsis laurina extract, Brachychiton acerifolius extract, orStenocarpus sinuatus extract, or any combination of such extracts. Ineven more particular aspects, the extract can be a Nymphaea giganteaextract.

Table XIV includes a non-limiting example of a composition of thepresent invention. The composition can be formulated into an emulsion(e.g., o/w, w/o, o/w/o, w/o/w, etc.) and the additional ingredientsidentified throughout the specification can be included into the TableXIV composition (e.g., by adjusting the water content of composition).Further, the concentration ranges of the ingredients identified in TableXIV can vary depending on a desired formulation (e.g., cream, lotion,moisturizer cleanser, etc.). In particular embodiments, the Table XIVcomposition can be a sunscreen lotion.

TABLE XIV Ingredient % Concentration (by weight) Water q.s. Skin activeingredient* 0.1% to 10% Xanthan Gum 0.0001 to 10% Disodium EDTA 0.0001to 10% Pentylene Glycol 0.0001 to 10% Capryl Glycol 0.0001 to 10%Pemulen TR-1 0.0001 to 10% Triethanolamine 0.0001 to 10% PVP/HexadeceneCopolymer 0.0001 to 10% Finsolv TN 10 to 30% Sorbitan Isostearate 0.0001to 10% Sunscreen Ingredient** 2 to 25% TOTAL 100 *Skin active ingredientcan be any of the individual plant extracts identified throughout thespecification or any combination of such extracts (e.g., Nymphaeagigantea extract, Syzygium moorei extract, Cupaniopsis anacardioidesextract, Archidendron hendersonii extract, Tristaniopsis laurinaextract, Brachychiton acerifolius extract, Stenocarpus sinuatus extract,Alphitonia excelsa extract, Eucalyptus coolabah extract, Plumeria albaextract, Cocos nucifera extract, or Tamarindus indica extract, or anycombination of such extracts). Any portion of the plant can be used tocreate the skin-active extract (e.g., root, stem, leaf, flower, flowerbulb, bark, fruit, seed, seed pod, whole plant etc.). In particularembodiments, the extract can be Nymphaea gigantea extract, Syzygiummoorei extract, Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract, Archidendronhendersonii extract, Tristaniopsis laurina extract, Brachychitonacerifolius extract, or Stenocarpus sinuatus extract, or any combinationof such extracts. In even more particular aspects, the extract can be aNymphaea gigantea extract. **Sunscreen ingredient can be any sunscreeningredient, or combination of such ingredients, identified in thespecification or known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In oneembodiment, the sunscreen ingredient is a combination of zinc oxide andtitanium dioxide.

Table XV includes a non-limiting example of a composition of the presentinvention. The additional ingredients identified throughout thespecification can be included into the Table XV composition (e.g., byadjusting the water content of composition). Further, the concentrationranges of the ingredients identified in Table XV can vary depending on adesired formulation (e.g., cream, lotion, moisturizer cleanser, etc.).In particular embodiments, the Table XV composition can be a cleanser.

TABLE XV Ingredient % Concentration (by weight) Water q.s. Skin activeingredient* 0.1% to 10% Disodium EDTA 0.0001 to 10% Citric Acid 0.0001to 10% Pentylene Glycol 0.0001 to 10% Capryl Glycol 0.0001 to 10% sodiummethyl cocoyl taurate 10 to 30% sodium cocoamphodiacetate 1 to 10% TOTAL100 *Skin active ingredient can be any of the individual plant extractsidentified throughout the specification or any combination of suchextracts (e.g., Nymphaea gigantea extract, Syzygium moorei extract,Cupaniopsis anacardioides extract, Archidendron hendersonii extract,Tristaniopsis laurina extract, Brachychiton acerifolius extract,Stenocarpus sinuatus extract, Alphitonia excelsa extract, Eucalyptuscoolabah extract, Plumeria alba extract, Cocos nucifera extract, orTamarindus indica extract, or any combination of such extracts). Anyportion of the plant can be used to create the skin-active extract(e.g., root, stem, leaf, flower, flower bulb, bark, fruit, seed, seedpod, whole plant etc.). In particular embodiments, the extract can beNymphaea gigantea extract, Syzygium moorei extract, Cupaniopsisanacardioides extract, Archidendron hendersonii extract, Tristaniopsislaurina extract, Brachychiton acerifolius extract, or Stenocarpussinuatus extract, or any combination of such extracts. In even moreparticular aspects, the extract can be a Nymphaea gigantea extract.

Example 9 Assays that can be Used to Test Compositions

The efficacy of compositions comprising the plant extracts identifiedthroughout the specification, or a combination of such extracts(including, for example, the formulations identified in the aboveTables), can be determined by methods known to those of ordinary skillin the art. The following are non-limiting assays that can be used inthe context of the present invention. It should be recognized that othertesting procedures can be used, including, for example, objective andsubjective procedures.

Erythema Assay:

An assay to measure the reduction of skin redness can be evaluated usinga Minolta Chromometer. Skin erythema may be induced by applying a 0.2%solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate on the forearm of a subject. The areais protected by an occlusive patch for 24 hrs. After 24 hrs, the patchis removed and the irritation-induced redness can be assessed using thea* values of the Minolta Chroma Meter. The a* value measures changes inskin color in the red region. Immediately after reading, the area istreated with a composition of the present invention. Repeat measurementsare taken at regular intervals to determine the formula's ability toreduce redness and irritation.

Skin Moisture/Hydration Assay:

Skin moisture/hydration benefits can be measured by using impedancemeasurements with the Nova Dermal Phase Meter. The impedance metermeasures changes in skin moisture content. The outer layer of the skinhas distinct electrical properties. When skin is dry it conductselectricity very poorly. As it becomes more hydrated increasingconductivity results. Consequently, changes in skin impedance (relatedto conductivity) can be used to assess changes in skin hydration. Theunit can be calibrated according to instrument instructions for eachtesting day. A notation of temperature and relative humidity can also bemade. Subjects can be evaluated as follows: prior to measurement theycan equilibrate in a room with defined humidity (e.g., 30-50%) andtemperature (e.g., 68-72° C.). Three separate impedance readings can betaken on each side of the face, recorded, and averaged. The T5 settingcan be used on the impedance meter which averages the impedance valuesof every five seconds application to the face. Changes can be reportedwith statistical variance and significance.

Skin Clarity and Reduction in Freckles and Age Spots Assay:

Skin clarity and the reduction in freckles and age spots can beevaluated using a Minolta Chromometer. Changes in skin color can beassessed to determine irritation potential due to product treatmentusing the a* values of the Minolta Chroma Meter. The a* value measureschanges in skin color in the red region. This is used to determinewhether a composition is inducing irritation. The measurements can bemade on each side of the face and averaged, as left and right facialvalues. Skin clarity can also be measured using the Minolta Meter. Themeasurement is a combination of the a*, b, and L values of the MinoltaMeter and is related to skin brightness, and correlates well with skinsmoothness and hydration. Skin reading is taken as above. In onenon-limiting) aspect, skin clarity can be described as L/C where C ischroma and is defined as (a²+b²)^(1/2).

Skin Dryness, Surface Fine Lines, Skin Smoothness, and Skin Tone Assay:

Skin dryness, surface fine lines, skin smoothness, and skin tone can beevaluated with clinical grading techniques. For example, clinicalgrading of skin dryness can be determined by a five point standardKligman Scale: (0) skin is soft and moist; (1) skin appears normal withno visible dryness; (2) skin feels slightly dry to the touch with novisible flaking; (3) skin feels dry, tough, and has a whitish appearancewith some scaling; and (4) skin feels very dry, rough, and has a whitishappearance with scaling. Evaluations can be made independently by twoclinicians and averaged.

Clinical Grading of Skin Tone Assay:

Clinical grading of skin tone can be performed via a ten point analognumerical scale: (10) even skin of uniform, pinkish brown color. Nodark, erythremic, or scaly patches upon examination with a hand heldmagnifying lens. Microtexture of the skin very uniform upon touch; (7)even skin tone observed without magnification. No scaly areas, butslight discolorations either due to pigmentation or erythema. Nodiscolorations more than 1 cm in diameter; (4) both skin discolorationand uneven texture easily noticeable. Slight scaliness. Skin rough tothe touch in some areas; and (1) uneven skin coloration and texture.Numerous areas of scaliness and discoloration, either hypopigmented,erythremic or dark spots. Large areas of uneven color more than 1 cm indiameter. Evaluations were made independently by two clinicians andaveraged.

Clinical Grading of Skin Smoothness Assay:

Clinical grading of skin smoothness can be analyzed via a ten pointanalog numerical scale: (10) smooth, skin is moist and glistening, noresistance upon dragging finger across surface; (7) somewhat smooth,slight resistance; (4) rough, visibly altered, friction upon rubbing;and (1) rough, flaky, uneven surface. Evaluations were madeindependently by two clinicians and averaged.

Skin Smoothness and Wrinkle Reduction Assay with Methods Disclosed inPackman et al. (1978):

Skin smoothness and wrinkle reduction can also be assessed visually byusing the methods disclosed in Packman et al. (1978). For example, ateach subject visit, the depth, shallowness and the total number ofsuperficial facial lines (SFLs) of each subject can be carefully scoredand recorded. A numerical score was obtained by multiplying a numberfactor times a depth/width/length factor. Scores are obtained for theeye area and mouth area (left and right sides) and added together as thetotal wrinkle score.

Skin Firmness Assay with a Hargens Ballistometer:

Skin firmness can be measured using a Hargens ballistometer, a devicethat evaluates the elasticity and firmness of the skin by dropping asmall body onto the skin and recording its first two rebound peaks. Theballistometry is a small lightweight probe with a relatively blunt tip(4 square mm-contact area) was used. The probe penetrates slightly intothe skin and results in measurements that are dependent upon theproperties of the outer layers of the skin, including the stratumcorneum and outer epidermis and some of the dermal layers.

Skin Softness/Suppleness Assay with a Gas Bearing Electrodynamometer:

Skin softness/suppleness can be evaluated using the Gas BearingElectrodynamometer, an instrument that measures the stress/strainproperties of the skin. The viscoelastic properties of skin correlatewith skin moisturization. Measurements can be obtained on thepredetermined site on the cheek area by attaching the probe to the skinsurface with double-stick tape. A force of approximately 3.5 gm can beapplied parallel to the skin surface and the skin displacement isaccurately measured. Skin suppleness can then be calculated and isexpressed as DSR (Dynamic Spring Rate in gm/mm).

Appearance of Lines and Wrinkles Assay with Replicas:

The appearance of lines and wrinkles on the skin can be evaluated usingreplicas, which is the impression of the skin's surface. Silicone rubberlike material can be used. The replica can be analyzed by imageanalysis. Changes in the visibility of lines and wrinkles can beobjectively quantified via the taking of silicon replicas form thesubjects' face and analyzing the replicas image using a computer imageanalysis system. Replicas can be taken from the eye area and the neckarea, and photographed with a digital camera using a low angle incidencelighting. The digital images can be analyzed with an image processingprogram and the are of the replicas covered by wrinkles or fine lineswas determined.

Surface Contour of the Skin Assay with a Profilometer/Stylus Method:

The surface contour of the skin can be measured by using theprofilometer/Stylus method. This includes either shining a light ordragging a stylus across the replica surface. The vertical displacementof the stylus can be fed into a computer via a distance transducer, andafter scanning a fixed length of replica a cross-sectional analysis ofskin profile can be generated as a two-dimensional curve. This scan canbe repeated any number of times along a fix axis to generate a simulated3-D picture of the skin. Ten random sections of the replicas using thestylus technique can be obtained and combined to generate averagevalues. The values of interest include Ra which is the arithmetic meanof all roughness (height) values computed by integrating the profileheight relative to the mean profile height. Rt which is the maximumvertical distance between the highest peak and lowest trough, and Rzwhich is the mean peak amplitude minus the mean peak height. Values aregiven as a calibrated value in mm. Equipment should be standardizedprior to each use by scanning metal standards of know values. Ra Valuecan be computed by the following equation: R_(a)=Standardize roughness;l_(m)=the traverse (scan) length; and y=the absolute value of thelocation of the profile relative to the mean profile height (x-axis).

MELANODERM™ Assay:

In other non-limiting aspects, the efficacy of the compositions of thepresent invention can be evaluated by using a skin analog, such as, forexample, MELANODERM™. Melanocytes, one of the cells in the skin analog,stain positively when exposed to L-dihydroxyphenyl alanine (L-DOPA), aprecursor of melanin. The skin analog, MELANODERM™, can be treated witha variety of bases containing the compositions and whitening agents ofthe present invention or with the base alone as a control.Alternatively, an untreated sample of the skin analog can be used as acontrol.

ORAC Assay:

Oxygen Radical Absorption (or Absorbance) Capacity (ORAC) of thearomatic skin-active ingredients and compositions can also be assayed bymeasuring the antioxidant activity of such ingredients or compositions.This assay can quantify the degree and length of time it takes toinhibit the action of an oxidizing agent such as oxygen radicals thatare known to cause damage cells (e.g., skin cells). The ORAC value ofthe aromatic skin-active ingredients and compositions can be determinedby methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art (see U.S.Publication Nos. 2004/0109905 and 2005/0163880; Cao et al. (1993)), allof which are incorporated by reference). In summary, the assay describedin Cao et al. (1993) measures the ability of antioxidant compounds intest materials to inhibit the decline of B-phycoerythrm (B-PE)fluorescence that is induced by a peroxyl radical generator, AAPH.

Matrix Metalloproteinase Enzyme Activity (MMP3; MMP9) Assay:

An in vitro matrix metalloprotease (MMP) inhibition assay. MMPs areextracellular proteases that play a role in many normal and diseasestates by virtue of their broad substrate specificity. MMP3 substratesinclude collagens, fibronectins, and laminin; while MMP9 substratesinclude collagen VII, fibronectins and laminin. Using Colorimetric DrugDiscovery kits from BioMol International for MMP3 (AK-400) and MMP-9(AK-410), this assay is designed to measure protease activity of MMPsusing a thiopeptide as a chromogenic substrate(Ac-PLG-[2-mercapto-4-methyl-pentanoyl]-LG-OC2H5)5,6. The MMP cleavagesite peptide bond is replaced by a thioester bond in the thiopeptide.Hydrolysis of this bond by an MMP produces a sulfhydryl group, whichreacts with DTNB [5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), Ellman's reagent]to form 2-nitro-5-thiobenzoic acid, which can be detected by itsabsorbance at 412 nm (c=13,600 M-1 cm-1 at pH 6.0 and above 7).

All of the skin-active ingredients, compositions, or methods disclosedand claimed in this specification can be made and executed without undueexperimentation in light of the present disclosure. While theskin-active ingredients, compositions, or methods of this invention havebeen described in terms of particular embodiments, it will be apparentto those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to theskin-active ingredients, compositions, or methods and in the steps or inthe sequence of steps of the method described herein without departingfrom the concept, spirit and scope of the invention.

REFERENCES

The following references, to the extent that they provide exemplaryprocedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein, arespecifically incorporated herein by reference.

-   U.S. Pat. No. 2,798,053-   U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,560-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,769-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,949-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,379-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,078-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,206-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,484-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,681-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,445-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,660-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,744-   U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,802-   U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,398-   U.S. Patent Publn. 2004/0109905-   U.S. Patent Publn. 2005/0163880-   Cao et al., Free Radic. Biol. Med., 14:303-311, 1993.-   CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook,    12^(th) Ed., 2008.-   CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, 4^(th) Ed., pp 12    and 80, 1991.-   Kreuter, J. Microencapsulation, 5:115-127, 1988.-   McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents, North American Edition,    1986.-   Packman and Gams, J. Soc. Cos. Chem., 29:70-90, 1978.

1. A topical skin composition comprising: (a) a Nymphaea gigantea flowerextract; (b) a Plumeria alba flower extract; and (c) a dermatologicallyacceptable vehicle.
 2. The topical skin composition of claim 1, whereinthe dermatologically acceptable vehicle comprises water, glycerin,butylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, citric acid, and potassium sorbate. 3.The topical skin composition of claim 2, comprising 0.01% to 20% byweight of said Nymphaea gigantean flower extract.
 4. The topical skincomposition of claim 3, comprising 0.01% to 20% by weight of saidPlumeria alba flower extract.
 5. The topical skin composition of claim4, wherein the composition further comprises a moisturizing agent or ahumectant.
 6. The topical skin composition of claim 5, wherein thecomposition comprises at least 50% by weight of water.
 7. The topicalskin composition of claim 6, wherein said extracts are both obtainedfrom extraction with butylene glycol.
 8. The topical skin composition of7, wherein the composition is a lotion, cream, gel, serum, or emulsion.9. The topical skin composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is acosmetic product, and wherein the cosmetic product is a cleanser, atoner, a moisturizer, or a mask.
 10. A method of protecting skin fromoxidative damage from free radicals comprising topically applying thecomposition of claim 1 to skin in need thereof, wherein said compositionprotects skin from oxidative damage from free radicals.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein the dermatologically acceptable vehicle compriseswater, glycerin, butylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, citric acid, andpotassium sorbate.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the compositionis applied to a fine line or wrinkle.
 13. The method of claim 10,wherein the composition is applied to erythemic, sensitive, or inflamedskin.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the composition is applied todry, flaky, or itchy skin.